Judy Blume’s novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret — a modest story of a sixth grader who, on the cusp of puberty, finds herself talking with God — endures because it offers readers solace during a famously uncertain time.
Puberty happens to everyone, but amid newly sprouting pimples and peculiar body odours one can suddenly feel desperately alone. The magic of Kelly Fremon Craig’s film adaptation comes from its respectful reanimation of the source material.
This is also one of those rare teen movies where the parents aren’t duds. Her father Herb (Benny Safdie) and mom Barbara (Rachel McAdams) are wonderful as parents who know they have to largely sit on the sidelines as Margaret navigates all this new confusion, although they’re also ready to catch her when she slips.
As Margaret makes her way through a new neighbourhood, new friends and the peculiarity of puberty, she keeps God in the loop.
Of course, at least on the surface, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, is designed for young people. But there’s a transportive quality about it, too.
I’m not sure it’s possible to watch it as a grownup and not see, somewhere on that screen, a version of the awkward little person you used to be.
It’s only taken half a century, but Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, the enduring 1970 bestseller about a pre-teen girl’s tug-of-war with puberty and religion, has finally made it to the big screen. And the result is totally irresistible.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, rated PG, plays at the Patricia Theatre from May 12 to 16 at 7 pm, with a matinee Sunday, May 14, at 1:30 pm. Running time is one hour and 46 minutes.
Gary Shilling is executive director of qathet Film Society.
