Time: 106 Minutes
Age Rating: PG - Sexual references
Cast:
Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon
Rachel McAdams as Barbara Simon
Kathy Bates as Sylvia Simon
Benny Safdie as Herb Simon
Director: Kelly Fremon Craig

I had been hearing very good things about Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret over the past year. I knew very little about it, just that it starred Rachel McAdams, and it was a coming of age movie apparently based on an significant novel from the 1970s. What also interested me was the fact that it came from Kelly Fremon Craig, the director of Edge of Seventeen. I didn’t expect this to be as good as it was, nor among my favourite movies of the year.

Essentially, this is a coming of age comedy and drama about a young girl growing up, her journey of self discovery, and the anxieties of womanhood and girlhood that she experiences. While it definitely covers familiar subject matters, this movie still handles it in a way that it feels fresh. It also does well at capturing the awkwardness of growing up. While it does have some funny scenarios, the movie is also very heartfelt, sincere and nuanced with its main story and the characters. On top of that, the movie moves at a nice pace and flows over its roughly 100 minute runtime, making it an easy viewing experience.

The movie strongly benefits from the fantastic performances of its cast. Abby Ryder Fortson is great in the lead role of Margaret, very likable and relatable. Rachel McAdams is excellent as Abby’s mother, giving so much depth to her character. Other actors including Kathy Bates and Benny Safdie were really good in their parts too. Most surprising of all though were the kid actors, who were genuinely good and I didn’t have any complaints with any of them.

Kelly Fremon Craig directed this, and unsurprisingly delivers some really good work. She really knows how long to linger on a scene or a shot to give it the right effects, especially in the intentionally uncomfortable or awkward moments.  The production design and costumes also do well to reflect the 70s period in which the story is set. However I think that the very digital look can be a little distracting considering the time period.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, is a charming, heartfelt and funny coming of age dramedy with amazing performances. Well worth checking out.