Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret (2023)

Kelly Fremon Craig's adaptation of Judy Blume's 1970 novel is a lovely affair, and stars Abby Ryder Fortson as the titular character Eleven year old Margaret Simon whose family move from New York City to New Jersey.

Early on, Margaret asks God to prevent the move (or at least make New Jersey not too horrible) in a voice over that we come accustomed to throughout the film.

Blume's novel is very much a coming of age film, and caused some consternation on release for its supposedly frank discussion of religious and sexual topics, subjects that are brought astutely to film by Craig. Margaret's Mum Barbara (Rachel McAdams) is Christian and her Dad Herb (Benny Safdie) is Jewish, a clash of religions that caused Barbara's parents to cease contact with their daughter and as a result, Barbara and Herb made the decision to not force any religion on Margaret.

Margaret acquires a new group of friends in New Jersey, and they tackle the ups and downs of waiting for puberty to arrive (getting frustrated that they still haven't got their periods, insisting to parents that they needs bras) while Margaret struggles with the complications of being away from her grandmother Sylvia (a film stealing performance from Cathy Bates) as well as trying to figure out which religion, or if indeed any, she should choose to follow.

The film shies away from forcing or suggesting an opinion that the audience should take on board, it neatly addresses the pros and cons of religion itself, whilst also depicting the problems that lively debate about the topic can breed.

Craig is no stranger to the coming of age film, she helmed 2016's terrific Edge of Seventeen and ably follows that up with this Blume adaptation, which is heartfelt, at times very funny, and most importantly deals with issues that are as prescient today as they were when Blume's book was released over fifty years ago, without judging any of them. 7.7/10