2023 has been a good year for films set in 1970. I have no explanation as to why, but it is certain that after ‘The Holdovers’, which is quite well placed in the lists of Academy Awards nominates, now comes ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret‘ directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, who also signs the big screen adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel, a film that manages to be both enjoyable to watch and interesting. Subject-wise, this coming-of-age comedy about a 6th-grade girl and her classmates, with the inocent intrigues and the disappointments about the world around them that are magnified to the level of disaster at this age, is quite outside my usual area of interest. But there is a much more important secondary theme, and there’s also the honest approach and some outstanding acting performances, and there you go – I finished the viewing almost enthusiastic and surprisingly moved by this film, which far exceeded my expectations.
Margaret is 11 years old and the only daughter of Herb and Barbara. The father is promoted at his job and the family is able to fulfill the dream of many American families in 1970 – to move to a big house in the suburbs. Mom will have to give up her art teacher lessons and become an exemplary mother and housewife, but if she’s unhappy she doesn’t show it. Margaret, on the other hand, who has to leave New York, change schools, break up with friends, is clearly unhappy. Who can she share her feelings with, now that grandma will be away too? With God, with whom she has private dialogues in the evenings. They are more monologues, but it is known that He is very busy and that He will answer when He has time and in His own way. The dialogue with God gets a little more complicated when the girl receives at her new school a work assignment about the study of religions. Herb is Jewish, Barbara is Christian, and discussions of religion are avoided. None of the organized religion offerings around her seems too attractive, and the subject seems taboo in the family. In addition, Margaret and her friends, members of a ‘secret’ club the kind of only 11-year-old girls can start, face the problems of coming of age.
The approach is honest and fresh. The dialogues are natural and sensitive themes are approached with discretion and good taste, without excesses of modesty. Child or adolescent actors, when they are well chosen, cannot fail to conquer. In this film, not only Abby Ryder Fortson, who plays the lead role, is excellent, but so are all her partners in the roles of friends and colleagues. I was sorry that the role played by Rachel McAdams was not a bit more consistent. The mother, along with her daughter, goes through the same crises at another age – crises due to moving to the suburbs and giving up her profession, but also because of the family conflict that brings back to light the old quarrel with her parents. The actress is excellent, and that’s why I found the writing a bit shallow. Benny Safdie is perfect as the father, and Kathy Bates is pure fun in a role where she seems to be playing Bette Midler playing the Jewish grandmother. I recommend this film that deals with some complicated issues with the right amount of frivolity. Movies about the year 1970 also have the great advantage that the soundtrack consists of the sounds of that wonderful musical period. ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret‘ is no exception. If all dialogues with God were like Margaret’s, many conflicts could be easily resolved.