Tropic Sprockets / Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.

Tropic Sprockets / Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.

By Ian Brockway

From Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen) comes “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret,” an excellent adaptation of Judy Blume’s sensational (and sometimes banned) novel, whose time has come. [For showtimes and trailer, check Tropiccinema.com.]

As entertaining as it is engrossing, the film possesses a spontaneity and a spirit as well as a pensive quality. Bursting with color apropos of the 1970s, this is one coming of age story that truly captures the emotions and textures of what it’s like to be a young girl questioning her own beliefs. 

Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is a sixth-grade girl. She is anxious over moving to New Jersey from New York. During times of trouble, Margaret talks to God, but she grows unsure whether He is listening. Margaret’s mother Barbara (Rachel McAdams) is a Christian while her dad (Ben Safdie) is Jewish. Understandably, this creates confusion and worry in Margaret’s mind. Just who or what should she identify with? Which deity is Margaret driven by? These are the questions that the film poses, and it does so brilliantly.

When Margaret converses with God, it is a solemn act done without satire or ridicule. The cinematography indicates that Margaret is followed by serious shadows. This is a young person of contrasts and conflicts, and her predicament is universal. When Margaret converses, the colors of Autumn follow her, but with her school friends, Margaret is released into the circus of Summer.

To counteract her anxiety, Margaret looks to her jovial grandmother Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who exudes great joy in living as well as good natured sarcasm.

Margaret also finds happiness in her friends Nancy (Elle Graham), Gretchen (Katherine Kupferer) and Janie (Amari Alexis Price). Peer pressure hits Margaret over the condition of her breast development and the coming of menstruation. This subject was groundbreaking in the original novel, and it is serious here without comedy or judgment.

Events take a slightly dark turn when Margaret’s mother’s estranged parents come for a sudden visit. Sylvia is horrified that Margaret is open to Christianity while Barbara’s parents come down on Margaret with an iron, crucifix-edged hand. Margaret explodes and rightly so. Such moments slightly recall “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to its credit, but the mania is not without its profound feeling.

Events are further troubled when Margaret learns that Laura (Isol Young) is not a rude girl at all but is being unfairly maligned for appearing physically older.

The blonde Waspy debutante manners of Elle have touches of John Waters’ “Hairspray.” It’s her way or the highway (in terms of what to say and disclose) but it’s Margaret who has the last word. The final scene between Janie and Margaret highlights the wonder of friendship and is handled with a poignancy bordering on the profound.

This is one of the most affecting films about young people that I have seen. Margaret not only talks to God, but she learns to be in charge as her own moral guardian. This film highlights young girls not only as daring and emotive, but also as human beings with the courage to question.

Blume’s own voice of empathy and playful joy shines through.

Write Ian at [email protected]

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