Do you know what’s the rarest thing in this world? Perfect book adaptations! This is the first thing for which this movie stands out. Director Kelly Fremon Craig breathes new life into Judy Blume’s beloved novel of the same name, delivering a hilarious and candid coming-of-age story that makes you go throught the awkwardness and excitement of standing ot the edge of puberty once again. “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” is here to delight, entertain, and make you laugh out loud.
Plot
Set in 1970s, Margaret Simon returns from summer camp only to be welcomed by a heartbreak when she comes to know her family is moving from New York to New Jersey. Now imagine a sixth-grade you completely moving to a new place, away from your friends, family, practically away from your childhood. Sucks, doesn’t it? Well that’s what this movie is about. To escape the sucky and embrace the newness. Margaret discovers all things love, religion, friendship and menstruation with the help of her mom Barbara in this cute wholesome movie. Pura time smile nahi kiya toh naam badal dena.
Performances
Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret is such a munchkin in this movie. For someone going through that tricky phase of life, Abby brings the curious as well as the ‘confused unga bunga’ side to Margaret, jisse you actually feel connected to her (unlike those Netflix teenage rom-coms). Her knight in shining armour- grandma Sylvie- is another wholesome character full of sass and humour, portrayed by Kathy Bates. But the real winner here is Rachel McAdams. Our OG Mean Girl nails it as Margaret’s mom Barbara, going past the typical movie moms, actually showing maa ki mamta with conviction, while fighting her own struggles. All in all, you feel that apnapan in everyone’s portrayal, which makes you invest in the movie emotionally.
Screenplay
The thing that stands out for me is that for a simple coming of age story, you never really feel bored or disconnected from the movie. Even though it isn’t a series of huge ups and downs, it is the smaller moments that you actually look forward to. Plus it isnt preachy either- there are whole sequences about Margaret’s misadventures with pads and bras, and it’s impossible not to relate and chuckle hiding your face, no matter you’re 16 or 23. There are moments when you go ‘arre ye toh mere saath hua tha’ and that is exactly why it stands out. The film, at its core, is basically a reminder of the universal awkwardness of puberty (stop thinking about your embarassing incidents, please).
Writing
While the film embraces humor and adrenaline, it doesn’t forget to pack in important life lessons hidden beneath the goofy laughs. The all-girls’ secret club meetings, led by the fabulous Elle Graham as Nancy, tackle topics like boys and periods with such relatability that it feels embarassing. The moments where Marg explores different religions are very brilliantly written, and I love how they conclude that subplot. All in all, one moment you’re smiling ear to ear and the next you’re all teary eyed. Amidst all the chaos with the writer’s strike, here’s a big shout out to them <3.
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” is a nostalgic reminder that growing pains are timeless and universal, no matter your gender. It’s a cutu celebration of the awkwardness, fear, and excitement that come with growing up. Whether you’re reliving your own adolescence or watching it through the eyes of a preadolescent, this film will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. Dekhlo jaake, regret nahi karoge
