Life comes at you fast–this is a reality that young Margaret Simon (Abby Ryder Fortson) is forced to face. When she and her parents up and move from New York City to the suburbs in New Jersey, she must deal with all of the turbulence that young girls must face as they become women. New friends, her first period, religion, and more now play a pivotal role in Margaret’s day to day–forcing her to constantly utter the phrase: “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.,” in the hopes that she might find answers from the man upstairs.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. is scattered and a bit unwieldy. Aesthetically this fractures the film in a way that is frustrating, but it plays an important role in the film as well. This allows a series of topics to make their way into the film, inviting a slew of viewers from all walks of life. As a result of the film sort of romping all over the place it invites many different topics into it, and while the majority of the topics are ones that are geared toward a female audience, it really does a wonderful job of reaching out to everyone. Are You There God? It’s Me Maragaret. creates a bridge that everyone is able to cross, allowing each and every viewer to find something to appreciate.
There’s nothing special about the cinematography, nothing that sets it apart from the millions of other films that have played before viewers. While Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. is able to reach a wide-range of viewers, and the narrative moves from place to place very quickly–the cinematography is just simple. It remains on a very linear path, one that allows viewers to appreciate the things being said and done; but I feel that something unique needed to come into play in this regard, something to set it apart from other films of this nature. Simplicity here doesn’t kill the film, but I believe that there is untapped potential circulating the airspace around both Director of Photography Tim Ives and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. as a whole.
The soundtrack is nothing short of badass, propelling this film forward and creating something that will certainly appeal to more mature audiences. Any time that music plays it fills the screen and works to supplement Margaret, the other characters, and the narrative. The songs help to develop a series of tones throughout the course of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., and viewers are guided through the sometimes frumpy film in a relatively smooth fashion as a result.
I’ve never gone into a film with any hope of hating it–but I found myself walking into the theater to watch Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. hoping that the film wouldn’t entertain me. That’s odd, I’m well aware–but the subject matter of the film was something that made me uncomfortable before I even sat down. With that being said, for a film to alter my expectations and opinions so drastically is insanely impressive. However, that doesn’t change the uncomfortable sexual nature of the film. There is constant discussion about the menstrual cycle in regard to eleven and twelve year old girls, viewers see them try on bras, and discuss the idea that a girl in the sixth grade volunteers herself to be felt up by young boys. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. is a tough pill to swallow because the uncomfortable conversations never relent–and while stepping outside of your comfort zone can be a good thing, there are moments when it’s almost too much to handle.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. is a film that appears will appeal to younger audiences, a film that will reflect their struggles and hardships and provide them with answers. While the majority of the film is geared toward a younger, female audience–it really does a wonderful job of extending itself into other places, reaching viewers from all walks of life. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. is far reaching and I think it has the potential to reach viewers for generations.
Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig.
Written by Kelly Fremon Craig & Judy Bloom.
Starring Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Benny Safdie, Elle Graham, Amari Alexis Price, Katherine Mallen Kupferer, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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