Here’s the trailer for ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’—prepare to feel ALL your feelings
After more than 50 years since its publication, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is finally coming to the big screen. Today, Judy Blume released the first trailer of her beloved coming-ofage story.
Abby Ryder Fortson is the newcomer, while Rachel McAdams (new) and Benny Safdie (old) portray Margaret’s parents. Kathy Bates, the legendary actress, 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. The story is so well-received by readers over fifty years that it depicts the emotional and physical changes associated with puberty with such ease.
“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.
There are many tween problems she has to deal with, including her insecurity about her body and first crushes. She also experiences the usual tiffs between 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 that this book has been a part of history is its inclusion in the Encyclopedia Britannica in the 1980s. most banned books in school libraries The story was shared 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. In essence, it’s obvious that certain people in power were just about as misogynistic or problematically puritanical as they are now.
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Blume actually spoke about this very thing during his interview 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. However, all of that changed when Blume received a letter by Kelly Fremon Craig, writer/director, which changed her mind about 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.