In her Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret review, Lisa Johnson Mandell emphasizes that the much anticipated adaptation was worth the wait, and oh so relevant in these challenging times.

The long-awaited film adaptation of Judy Bloom’s controversial classic coming of age novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, is a sweet, sincere, heartwarming period piece (pun intended).

So why did I find myself upset and shaking, shedding tears of utter sadness and dismay as the closing credits rolled? Why was I shedding those same tragic tears as I write this review?

It’s because seeing those simple and uncomplicated times when puberty and friendship were adolescents’ greatest concerns, and a sixth grader could ride a bus into New York City alone, put me in a deep state of mourning for today’s youth.

I have two nieces about the same age as Margaret. Today they must deal with school shooters, social media blowback, gender issues, readily available drugs and pornography, and now maniacs who pull guns on them if their ball goes into the wrong yard. What kind of a world have we created for our children? How did we let this happen?

I can’t help but weep for the young ones, and for their parents trying so desperately to protect them.

Back to the film, It’s a true gift in this time of turmoil for teenagers, offering a gentle respite from the tragic circumstances of the day. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a welcome diversion from the monstrous depictions of young people we see in gratuitously gritty series like Euphoria or in movies like Bones and All.

It’s amusing to think that 53 years ago, when the book was first released, the frank references to menstruation were considered scandalous, and actually got the book banned from various venues. Today it feels authentic, beautiful and sweet, as does the entire movie.

This is one of those rare teen focused films where the adults are interesting and multi-dimensional, with issues of their own. Rachel McAdams is splendid and vulnerable as Margaret’s mother, a former Christian who left her family behind to marry a nice Jewish boy (Benny Sadie, who directed, along with his brother Josh, Uncut Gems). Kathy Bates is perfect as the Jewish grandmother who we all wish we had…most of the time.

And the girls…oh the girls! Especially Margaret herself, played pitch perfectly by Abby Ryder Fortson (Ant Man, A Dog’s Journey), and her precocious pal Nancy, (Elle Graham). I would gladly watch them grow up in a seven season long series.

Director, screenwriter and producer Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of 17) has done an extraordinary job of adapting the bestselling novel about a sixth grader and her parents moving from the big city to the suburbs, and all the issues that ensue. It’s a year of exploring, growing up, family, friendship, religion and more.

Since Blume fans have been waiting more than 50 years for a big screen adaptation of their beloved novel, the major question seems to be, what took so long?

My response would be, the timing is perfect. We need it now more than ever. There is anxiety in the coming of age process and change is eternal, no matter what the time period. But a movie that reinforces the messages that this too shall pass, and that kindness is always the right choice, is a gift.

Rated PG-13

1 Hour 45 Minutes

In her Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret review, Lisa Johnson Mandell emphasizes the fact that the much anticipated adaptation was worth the wait, and oh so relevant in these challenging times.