After more than 50 years since its publication, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is finally coming to the big screen. The first trailer for the beloved coming-of-age story by legendary author Judy Blume was released today.
The movie features newcomer Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret, while Rachel McAdams and Benny Safdie portray her parents and the incomparable Kathy Bates plays her grandmother.
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One of the reasons why this book was—and is—such a big deal is because very few stories out there truly encapsulate the tween/early teen experience in a realistic yet soothing way, and Blume’s book does just that. It depicts the highs and lows of the physical and emotional changes of puberty with such aplomb, the story has resonated with readers for over five decades.
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” follows the journey of sixth-grade student Margaret Simon and her family as they move from New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey. Margaret, whose parents are Christian and Jewish, has been raised without an affiliation to one faith but is inspired to interrogate what higher power she believes in, and it’s done in the most beautiful way.
She faces common tween struggles including insecurity about her changing body, first crushes, and the typical tiffs with her parents. Throughout the story, she talks things over with God—whomever God may be— about her problems and questions as only a tween can.
Another reason this book has cemented its place in history is that in the 1980s, it became one of the most banned books in school libraries across the country. Conservative politicians felt the story, which delves into the very natural and human topics of menstruation and sexuality, among other things—was inappropriate for teens and tweens. It’s still on many banned books lists today. Basically, some people in power were just as misogynistic and problematically puritanical then as they still are today.
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In fact, Blume talked about that very thing during Thursday’s appearance on Today.
“[They think] if my kid doesn’t read about it, it’s never going to happen,” Blume said. “Today, it’s even worse. … Book banning is back in a huge way, and a really frightening and destructive way, because it’s become uber-political.”
As for Blume, she’s previously said she was reluctant to sign over the rights to her story because she was afraid it wouldn’t be done justice as a film. All of that changed, however, when she received a letter from writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig that changed her stance on the matter. “[She wrote] a remarkable and passionate and funny, intimate letter,” Blume said. “She was very persuasive.”
“I love the movie,” Blume continued. “How many authors of the book can say, ‘I think that movie is better than the book’?”
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” premieres in theaters on April 28.