Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Year: 2023

Actors: Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Abby Ryder Fortson, Ben Safdie

Duration: 106 min

1970. Despite not having lived in a home with religion, eleven year old Margaret Simon starts talking to God in feeling she has no one else to turn to when she believes her life has ended in her parents, Herb and Barbara Simon, deciding to move the family from New York City, the only world Margaret has ever known which includes close contact with Herb's overbearing but loving Jewish mother, Sylvia Simon, to suburban New Jersey in Herb changing jobs. In this new world, Margaret, not knowing what is expected of her, tries solely to fit in being befriended by outwardly confidant classmate Nancy Wheeler, who invites Margaret to join her secret club of four girls total. The nature of the club is for them to talk about what eleven year girls obsess about, namely the issues of puberty, including their changing bodies, most specifically the development of breasts and menstruation, and their developing attraction to boys, as well as gossip about others based solely on outward appearances. Through it all, Margaret feels the need to conform even if it isn't truly what she is feeling and despite the club's motto always to tell the truth. Margaret also learns about the reason for not having a religion and why she has never met her maternal grandparents: Barbara being disowned by her devout Christian parents in marrying someone Jewish, it the reason Herb and Barbara will ultimately let Margaret decide for herself if she ever wants religion in her life. In testing out religions, Margaret may decide if and when she actually does feel God answer any of the questions she has been asking of him. This move is also as much an adjustment for her parents, especially Barbara in giving up her job as an art teacher to become her version of a suburban housewife, which for her means a focus on the house including learning how to cook and being an active participant in the PTA. But Barbara may find that her expectations may not match the reality of what she wants out of this life.—Huggo

Genre: Action   Comedy   Drama   Family