Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023)
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When her family moves from the city to the suburbs, 11-year-old Margaret navigates new friends, feelings, and the beginning of adolescence.
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Summary / Coverage of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023)
**Genre:** Comedy, Drama
**Director:** Kelly Fremon Craig
**Cast:**
* Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon
* Rachel McAdams as Barbara Simon
* Kathy Bates as Sylvia Simon
* Benny Safdie as Anthony
* Elle Graham as Nancy
* David Cross as Jack
* Judy Greer as Nancy’s Mom
* Heather Graham as Nancy’s Aunt
* Stephanie Beatriz as Nancy’s Friend
**Plot:**
Margaret Simon is an 11-year-old girl who is about to start middle school. She is excited about the new chapter in her life, but she is also nervous about fitting in. Margaret is also starting to go through puberty, and she is beginning to question her religious beliefs.
Margaret’s parents are divorced, and she lives with her mother and her younger brother. Her father is Jewish, and her mother is Christian. Margaret has been raised without an affiliation to either faith, and she does not practice an organized religion. However, she frequently prays to God in her own words, beginning by saying, “Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret.”
For a school assignment, Margaret chooses to study people’s religious beliefs, hoping to resolve the question of her own religion in the process. She attends a variety of religious services, and she talks to people from different faiths. As she learns more about different religions, Margaret begins to develop her own beliefs.
Margaret also starts to make new friends at school. She joins the school newspaper, and she starts to date a boy named Anthony. Margaret is finally starting to feel like she belongs, and she is beginning to feel more confident in herself.
However, Margaret’s newfound happiness is short-lived. Her parents start dating other people, and Margaret is forced to deal with the changes in her family. She also starts to experience the physical and emotional changes of puberty, and she begins to feel self-conscious about her body.
Margaret struggles to cope with all of the changes in her life, but she eventually realizes that she is not alone. She has her family and her friends to support her, and she is beginning to find her own path in life.
**Review:**
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a heartwarming and coming-of-age story about a young girl who is trying to find her place in the world. The film is funny, touching, and insightful, and it is sure to resonate with audiences of all ages.
The cast is excellent, with Abby Ryder Fortson giving a standout performance as Margaret. Fortson brings a lot of heart and humor to the role, and she is believable as a young girl who is trying to figure out who she is.
The supporting cast is also great, with Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Benny Safdie, Elle Graham, David Cross, Judy Greer, Heather Graham, and Stephanie Beatriz all giving memorable performances.
The film is directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, who makes her feature film debut with Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Craig does a great job of balancing the film’s humor, heart, and insight. She also creates a strong sense of family and community, which is one of the film’s strongest assets.
Overall, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a heartwarming and coming-of-age story that is sure to resonate with audiences of all ages. The film is funny, touching, and insightful, and it is a great choice for a family movie night.