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

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Prompted by her school assignment, Margaret asks her mother why she has never met her maternal grandparents. Barbara reveals that she is estranged from her devoutly Christian parents Paul and Mary, who disowned her upon her marriage to a Jewish man. On a weekend visit to New York City, Margaret asks Sylvia to take her to temple, which Sylvia gladly does. Meanwhile, Barbara attempts to fit in with the PTA and signs up for multiple committees, which draws her away from her hobby of painting and teaching art.

In 1970, eleven-year-old Margaret Simon is informed by her parents Barbara and Herb and paternal grandmother Sylvia that the family of three is moving from New York City to a New Jersey suburb, as Herb has received a promotion. Margaret is upset about moving away from her friends and Sylvia. She soon begins to communicate with God about her concerns, anxieties, and hopes.Gyarkye, Lovia (April 20, 2023). " 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Review: Rachel McAdams in a Judy Blume Adaptation That Was Worth the Wait". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023 . Retrieved April 20, 2023. The book is obviously about a young girl who is becoming a young woman and she's embracing her womanhood," Bates told People on Jan. 10. "And I think women throughout history have been taught to feel negatively about their bodies and about the processes that their bodies go through. I think this film will help young women feel better about their bodies."

Fans of Judy Blume’s popular 1970 coming-of-age novel, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, may have been apprehensive about how the film adaptation would turn out. Early reactions seem to show unanimous approval, and it’s very likely that the movie will be just as successful as the book. The film was released on VOD on June 6, 2023, with a Blu-ray and DVD release that followed on July 11, 2023. [17] Reception Box office One night while out with Nancy and her family in New York City, Margaret learns Nancy lied about getting her period earlier when she actually does get her period. At school, Margaret is assigned a group project with Laura Danker, a classmate who is ostracized by her peers (including Nancy) for being taller and more developed. While working together in the library, Margaret brings up rumors about Laura letting boys "feel her up", upsetting her and causing her to storm out. Margaret feels guilty for shaming her, while questioning her friendship with Nancy. 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. 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 January 21, 2023.In February 2021, it was announced that Abby Ryder Fortson would star as the titular Margaret, with Rachel McAdams cast as her mother. [8] Kathy Bates was added to the cast in March. [9] In April, Benny Safdie joined the cast. [10] Nicholson, Amy (April 20, 2023). " Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret Review: An Appealing But Edgeless Adaptation of a Coming-of-Age Classic". Variety. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023 . Retrieved April 20, 2023. Judy Blume's books – more than 25 novels for children and adults – are often celebrated for their openness about sex, menstruation, bullying and other teenage concerns, but if this was their sole strength, it's doubtful people would feel as deeply about them as they do. Her books are often about young people getting to know themselves and learning how to navigate the world, written with sensitivity, compassion and an acute understanding of the things teenagers worry about.

I feel a tremendous responsibility," Craig says. "A responsibility to Judy, but also to Judy's fans, and to the people that haven't read her books, for whom this will be an introduction to her." Anderson, Erik (June 30, 2023). "Hollywood Critics Association 2023 Midseason HCA Awards: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,' 'Past Lives,' 'Air' are Top Winners". AwardsWatch . Retrieved November 14, 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. After rejecting several offers to adapt her book in the 49 years since its publication, author Judy Blume sold the film rights to James L. Brooks and Kelly Fremon Craig, who worked together on The Edge of Seventeen (2016), with Craig set to write and direct. A studio bidding war over the distribution rights was won by Lionsgate. [6] [7]

That's only one factor, though. The books, while rooted in the time they were written, have a timeless quality because the things teenagers worry about are largely the same and few writers understand that the way Blume does. For the podcast, Michael and Worthington have read a lot of what they call "Judy-adjacent" books, but nothing quite matches up. "Judy has this special connection to the inner thoughts of children and teens," says Michael. "She remembers what it feels like, in a way that I just don't think a lot of writers can do." Banting, Rodlyn-mae (April 26, 2023). " 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Takes the Messiness of Girlhood Seriously". Jezebel. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023 . Retrieved May 8, 2023. 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?"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. - Financial Information". The Numbers . Retrieved June 16, 2023. 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. Craig was also nervous about filming the scene where Margaret and her friends perform their bust-increasing exercises. "That's the thing everybody remembers from the book, so filming it was a big deal. I knew we had to get that right." D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 15, 2022). " 'Dirty Dancing' Sequel Sets 2024 Release; 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Heads To Pre-Summer 2023". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022 . Retrieved June 15, 2022. 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.