After being released in theaters in the United States, where it grossed just over $20 million (a low figure for a production that cost $30 million), this very good transfer of Jodie Bloom’s famous novel of the same name reached local streaming thanks to HBO Max.
Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret. (Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret., United States/2023) Director: Kelly Freemon Craig. Screenplay: Kelly Freemon Craiga, based on a novel by Judy Bloom. Cast: Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Penny Savdie, Ellie Graham, Katherine Malen Kopferer and Kate McLoughig. Composer: Hans Zimmer. Cinematographer: Tim Ives. Running time: 105 minutes. Available on HBO Max.
It took a long time for Hollywood to twist Judy Bloom’s arm to give up the rights to her teenage novel Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret., which since its publication in 1970 has become a classic that can be passed down from generation to generation. Director Kelly Craig Freemon( same very good person My life is seventeen / Edge of seventeen) so that the author finally gave the green light to the adaptation that went through more pain than glory on the North American bulletin board, which now reaches this region of the world through the HBO Max platform.
The what Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret. The fact that it is a film with an undeniable contemporary character is due, in addition to the puppet of its directors, to a stainless raw material that defines the themes of issues that go beyond the peculiarities of the times. At the end of the day, physical changes in puberty continue to generate a storm of mixed and even conflicting emotions. This is the experience of Margaret from the title (Abby Ryder Fortson), who in the first scene returns to New York after a vacation in a camp and receives from her parents – or rather from her grandmother (Kathy Bates), who cannot handle her genius and has to open her mouth prematurely – the news that they are moving to New Jersey.
There is not much distance between the two cities, but the idea of changing primary schools on the eve of the final year and moving away from his grandmother does not please him very much. Margaret, the daughter of a Catholic mother (Rachel McAdams) and a Jewish father (Penny Savdie), grew up without an imposed religion, but in the face of uncertainty she resorts to prayer—always beginning with the title phrase—a resource that exists throughout the film through the girl’s voiceover that permeates it. In the manner of reflections or footnotes, what is going on in his head … And for your body.
Making friends is not difficult for her, nor is it difficult for her to adapt to a school where there is no shortage of the usual stereotypes, although an age shift has occurred: a cute child, a nerd, a girl who has already achieved a growth boom … Together with a group of women, they form a fraternity to discuss issues specific to this age and their gender. There will be, among other things, exercises for the growth of breasts as soon as possible, rehearsal for the first kisses and tremendous expectations before the impending menstruation.
Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret. It is one of those films free from the conflict behind the vicissities of life. There are no family arguments – there is a subplot with maternal grandparents – and there are no big dramatic peaks. Just accompany that little girl who will soon cease to be one. An escort made by a person, were it not for the indisputable fact that the director is 43 years old, could easily be a contemporary of Margaret. Fremon-Craig chooses warmth and frankness, to avoid the overall paternalism of looking at his characters in the face. Her non-negotiable conviction that her problems should not be underestimated because she is a girl.
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