Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is a classic coming-of-age tale. Also, the Judy Blume book receives the ageless treatment it deserves in a movie that captures the 1970 vibe (starting with the soundtrack) while completely transcending it. Sweet, charming and thoughtful, this theatrical release will likely land on a streaming service sooner than later. Also, it appears destined to have a very, very long shelf life.
Therefore, writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig’s film debut, “The Edge of Seventeen,” turned out to be a terrific training ground for this tween version of youthful angst. Also, a protagonist who – having been raised without any religion by her Christian mom (Rachel McAdams) and Jewish dad (Benny Safdie) – seeks help from God when the family abruptly decides to relocate from New York to New Jersey.
Judy Blume on a new film adaptation of her classic ‘Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret’

Just say the title, “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” and many will respond with a knowing smile. However, a memory of what was a formative book for young people began in the 1970s. Now, the novel by Judy Blume is about to premiere as a film. In the first of two reports, Jeffrey Brown visited Blume and the filmmakers in Key West for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ review: The classic novel is now a classic movie
The beloved author of books like Forever… and Deenie is the subject of the sweet new documentary Judy Blume Forever. Which just premiered on Prime after making a splash at Sundance. Now, her iconic 1970 novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is arriving on the big screen with a phenomenal adaptation that continues this seasonal celebration.
For decades, Blume would not allow Hollywood to adapt the story of Margaret Simon. An 11-year-old girl who talks candidly to God about everything from bra sizes to her questions about religion. Luckily for Blume. Also, audiences everywhere — writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig does Blume’s novel justice and then some. In her hands, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret becomes a film that captures the significance and humour of the source material, along with its most important quality: its empathy.

‘Are You There God?’: Film Is Funny and Wise
It’s hard to believe, but only two of Judy Blume’s novels have been adapted for the big screen during her long and acclaimed career. The first was 1982’s Tiger Eyes, which they made into a 2012 film that Blume co-wrote with her son, Lawrence, who also directed. Now there’s a new movie adaptation of what may be her most famous work. So the 1970 middle-grade classic Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. It stars Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, and Ant-Man’s Abby Ryder Fortson, and it premieres in theatres on April 28.
However, Blume’s influence on young readers’ fiction is immeasurable. As her bestselling books fearlessly address controversial topics in sensitive and honest ways. (A new documentary on Prime Video, Judy Blume Forever, offers a wonderful overview of her work.) Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret. is perhaps best known for its treatment of puberty. As sixth-grader Margaret Simon experiences crushes, gets her first bra, and hopes not to be last among her friends to get her period. So, the book’s frank talk about menstruation. It was unprecedented in works for young readers at the time—and those readers were thrilled to see their real-life concerns reflected in fiction.
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