Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023)

My Review

“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is a coming-of-age story about the ups and downs in the life of an eleven-year-old girl. Producer-director-screenwriter Kelly Fremon Craig did a good job of putting together an entertaining and insightful movie, adapted from the 1970 novel of the same name by Judy Blum. Craig did not shy away from dealing with such issues as the problems of puberty and the difficulties arising from her parent’s interfaith marriage.

The actors delivered sterling performances, especially Abby Ryder Fortson in the title role of Margaret Simon. Abby should have quite a future in the picture business. She has already appeared as Paul Rudd and Judy Greer’s daughter in “Ant-Man” (2015) and “Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018). The talented supporting cast includes Rachel McAdams and Bennie Safdie as Margaret’s parents and Oscar and Emmy winner Kathy Bates as her grandmother.

The watchable “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” was not successful at the box office for Gracie Films and Lionsgate Films. The venerable Hans Zimmer wrote the musical score.