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Review: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret - 2023



Story - When her family moves from the city to the suburbs, 11-year-old Margaret navigates new friends, feelings, and the beginning of adolescence.

Cast - Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates

Crew - Kell Fremon Craig (Director/Writer) Judy Blume (Writer)

Runtime - 107 minutes

         
We must, we must, we must increase our bust!

I wish more girls could see themselves represented in the movies we make. Studios often focus on male teens and their groups (Goonies, The Oustiders, etc.) but it is so refreshing we see one that focuses on teen girls in a way that is realistic, endearing, and warm.

It is no surprise I loved this movie as much as I did, after all, I love Turning Red and Only Yesterday, two movies that also focus on women, although in different ways. Still, I believe this market is underrepresented, and hopefully, we see that change soon.

This movie basically winds down to a coming-of-age film, about a girl and her struggles with womanhood and religion. Religion is the focal point of this movie, Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) struggles to connect to a certain religion, and while she believes in God having two parents who have different creeds (Jewish and Christian) confuses her and when combined with her body changes due to puberty it makes her even messier.

It is adapted from a 1970s novel of the same name by Judy Blume, I haven't read the book so I can't really say if this is a great adaptation or not, but the script is good and the interactions between all the kids and their parents are very realistic. I could see a timeline where this movie fails and creates tons of stereotypes for the girls and the boys.

I resonated a lot with the story, movies for girls just speak to me, I am not sure if it is because I had gender dysphoria when I was small and those ideas and thoughts are still present today but I do wish I had a group of friends like this. 

One of the best films of 2023, a coming-of-age movie that delves into religious drama and regular teenage drama. Evoking a simple 1970s past, and with an aura that embraces you like a warm blanket. And while it does have some innocent moments don't be fooled by it, because it is a very compelling and complex story about a girl trying to find a place where to belong, physically and spiritually.


         

Final Score - 5/5



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