From Little Women to the whole Marvel Universe, we love to see our favourite bits of literature turned into a big blockbuster. In May 2023, Judy Blume became another author whose beloved novel was projected into our cinemas via an adaptation. Unlike some other novel adaptations, this film has quickly settled into people’s hearts and is receiving international acclaim and praise.
Who Is Judy Blume?
Judy Blume is an American writer and teacher who has written over 25 novels over the six decades. She writes primarily for young adults and children and is best known for her 1970 novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Blume was one of the first authors to write about the seemingly controversial topics of menstruation, birth control, teen sex and death. The American Library Association (ALA) named Blume as one of the most challenged authors of this century, due to her candid writing.
Despite this, children and young adults across the world have really taken to Blume, with Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret selling over 82 million copies worldwide and being translated into over 30 languages.
What Is Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret?
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret tells the story of 11-year-old Margaret whose family moves across the country at a pivotal time in her life. She must make new friends, discover her new home and most of all, get to know all the new parts of herself.
This narrative perfectly reflects the awkward stages of going through puberty, developing your first crush and deciding where your morals lie. There are also much deeper decisions made by Margaret throughout the film, mainly about religion. Her mother is Christian and her father Jewish, so she tries to figure out where she fits there as well.
The case includes A-listers such as Rachel McAdams (The Notebook), Kathy Bates (Misery) and Bennie Safdie (Uncut Gems). Margaret is played by Abby Ruder Fortson, whom, despite only being 15 years old has starred in films such as Ant-Man and the Wasp and A Dog’s Journey.
Widespread Praise
This film has been out for less than a month and has already garnered an amazing response from audiences worldwide. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an almost perfect 99% rating. There are only 54 other movies on the whole site that have this rating, which is an amazing feat.
Writing for the Empire Online, Beth Webb awards Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret a fierce five stars. She writes that director Kelly Fremon Craig “delivers a film of disarming vulnerability and complexity.”
Similarly, Lauren Mechling for The Guardian has given the film a strong four stars. She describes the film as “heart-stoppingly beautiful” and “an entertaining comedy that also happened to be a stunning evocation of the fear and yearning that comes with standing on the precipice of adulthood.”