A charming, honest and fresh look at the reality of being a preteen girl, Blume’s story may be over 50 years old, but such a candid portrayal of prepubescent life was well overdue on the big screen. The female perspectives of the author and of director Kelly Fremon Craig make the storytelling all the more authentic, especially when coupled with the strong performances of the protagonists. The leading ladies represent three generations of womanhood (Forston as young Margaret, McAdams as an art teacher and stay-at-home mum, and grandma Sylvia as a senior enjoying a second youth), thus giving an well-rounded picture of what each phase of life can bring.

Sneider, Jeff (April 7, 2021). "Exclusive: Benny Safdie Joins Rachel McAdams in 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Movie". Collider. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021 . Retrieved April 7, 2021. After dinner, when Paul and Mary question Margaret about possibly attending Sunday school, Sylvia retorts that Margaret went to temple with her and has already chosen to become Jewish, sparking an argument between the parents and grandparents. Margaret yells at the adults, proclaiming that she does not care about religion and does not even believe in God.Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. had its world premiere at the San Francisco International Film Festival on April 23, 2023, and was released on April 28, 2023, by Lionsgate Films. [15] It was originally scheduled to be released on September 16, 2022. [16] N'Duka, Amanda (March 2, 2021). "Kathy Bates Joins 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Adaptation At Lionsgate". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021 . Retrieved March 2, 2021.

a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 30, 2023). " 'Super Mario Bros' Swallowing Up 'Margaret', 'George Foreman' & More – Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 29, 2023 . Retrieved April 30, 2023. Review: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret". Time. April 28, 2023. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023 . Retrieved May 8, 2023. Margaret hands in her research paper to Mr. Benedict, wherein she expresses her disillusionment with religion. Soon, she reconciles with her parents and Sylvia. At the end of the school year, Margaret thanks Mr. Benedict for being a good teacher. She also befriends Laura and asks her to dance, with Janie joining them shortly afterwards. Barbara, who has since returned to teaching painting, tells Nancy's mother Jan, the PTA president, that she will no longer volunteer for PTA committees. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. is a 2023 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, based on the 1970 novel of the same name by Judy Blume. [5] The film stars Abby Ryder Fortson as the title character, along with Rachel McAdams, Elle Graham, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" will follow the plot of the beloved Blume book, telling the story of 11-year-old Margaret Simon, who has a Christian mother and a Jewish father, but no particular religion of her own. Upon its release in 1970, the book became a classic for its honest and heartwarming portrayal of Margaret's curiosity about spirituality, puberty, family, and growing up.Critics praised the film for being a faithful adaptation of the book while also fleshing out its adult characters. Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood described the film as a "rip-roaring, funny, human, wonderful studio movie comedy you might have forgotten Hollywood knew how to make anymore", and praised the film's cast, Craig's direction, and the decision to leave the story set in the 1970s, as the original novel did. [22] Hammond pointed out how "every character in this film is finding there is much to learn in life at whatever point you happen to be." [22] Time called Fortson "marvelous" and said she "[captures] all of Margaret's eager earnestness". [23] Writing for Jezebel, Rodlyn-mae Banting said the "film adaptation comes as a gift—one that fiercely advocates for the beauty of girlhood in all of its agonizing, terrifying, but absolutely exhilarating glory." [24] Amy Nicholson of Variety said "There’s plenty in [the film] to treasure" and "the [girls'] friendship scenes are standouts", but opined the film also "seems uneasy putting funny, flawed and all-too-realistic Margaret on screen exactly as she is." [25] Accolades Award The film shows Margaret experiencing what it feels like to wear a pad. "We had to represent the truth of it in all its specificity," she says. "You're walking around with a little diaper on. It's such an odd feeling. How do you represent that as honestly as possible?" At the beginning of the school year, Margaret's teacher, Mr. Benedict, gives the class a year-long research assignment. When he learns Margaret dislikes religious holidays, she explains that since her mother is a Christian and her father is Jewish, her family does not observe the holidays and has left it up to Margaret to decide on her own religious identity as she grows older. D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2022). "Lionsgate Dates Feature Adaptation Of Judy Blume's 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' For Fall". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022 . Retrieved January 31, 2022.

For over fifty years, Judy Blume’s classic and groundbreaking novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. has impacted generations with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life’s biggest questions. In Lionsgate’s big-screen adaptation, 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother, Barbara (Rachel McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn’t happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets. The film also stars Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza, Good Time) and is written for the screen and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen), based on the book by Judy Blume, and produced by Gracie Films’ Academy Award® winner James L. Brooks (Best Picture, 1983 – Terms of Endearment), alongside Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Kelly Fremon Craig, Judy Blume, Amy Lorraine Brooks, Aldric La’auli Porter, and executive produced by Jonathan McCoy. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. - Financial Information". The Numbers . Retrieved June 16, 2023. King, Aidan (May 30, 2023). " Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Gets Digital & Blu-ray Release Dates". Collider . Retrieved June 11, 2023. For over fifty years, Judy Blume's classic and groundbreaking novel Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. has impacted generations with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life's biggest questions. In Lionsgate's big-screen adaptation, 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother, Barbara (Rachel McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn't happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets.

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Worthington and Michael think Blume's books remain so popular in part because the kids who grew up on them now have children and even grandchildren of their own. "If you read a book together with your kid, it's an opportunity to have conversations and bond and grow closer," says Michael. Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 2, 2020). "Lionsgate Wins Movie Auction For Seminal Judy Blume Novel 'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret' ". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020 . Retrieved March 30, 2020.