Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

The engaging Abby Ryder Fortson is on strong form here as the eponymous girl who finds herself shifted by her parents to live across the Hudson in New Jersey. Now they are an happy family: mum "Barbara" (Rachel McAdams) and dad "Herb" (Benny Safdie) that is egged on now and again by her favourite, and mischievous, grandmother "Sylvia" (Kathy Bates). New house, new school, new friends and quickly settling in, she joins a secret club with three other girls and what now ensues is a rather poignant and entertaining coming-of-age tale as the girls compete with each other for just about everything from the cute "Philip" (Zack Brooks) to which of them has their first period or wears their first bra. I suspect this may well resonate more with girls...

Are You There God? Its Me, Margaret is one of the first books I remember reading where I felt like the author really understood what it was like to be me. Judy Blumes beloved book has been considered a rite of passage for many young girls, and the pressure of adapting the work for the screen had to be enormous for writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig. Thankfully, the film does the source material justice, creating a timeless coming-of-age story that brings the classic book to life.

Sixth grader Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is 11 when she is unexpectedly uprooted from her life in New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey. Her mom Barbara (Rachel McAdams) and dad Herb (Benny Safdie) assure her that she will make new friends and get a fresh...

If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a Neil Simon play. But I'm not a girl and in my youth I read Hardy Boys, not Judy Blume.

The movie is very well done. Abby Ryder Fortson does one helluva job with the lead role.

It's a little humorous and a little heartwarming. And I hate to give it only a 7, but it's just not my cup of tea and I didn't see anything so super creative that it deserved a higher score.

If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a Neil Simon play. But I'm not a girl and in my youth I read Hardy Boys, not Judy Blume.

The movie is very well done. Abby Ryder Fortson does one helluva job with the lead role.

It's a little humorous and a little heartwarming. And I hate to give it only a 7, but it's just not my cup of tea and I didn't see anything so super creative that it deserved a higher score.

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ www.firstshowing.net/2023/review-are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-is-a-pleasant-surprise/

"ARE YOU THERE GOD? ITS ME, MARGARET stands out as a triumph in the coming-of-age subgenre. Its refusal to shy away from sensitive subject matters, coupled with brilliant performances and a meticulously crafted script, results in a story that not only entertains with astute humor but also resonates on a deeply personal level.

It's a testament to Kelly Fremon Craig's commitment to authenticity and storytelling that transcends the boundaries of age and gender. A poignant, relatable portrayal of the complexities of adolescence, leaving a lasting impact on its audience.

Rating: A-