Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret – Film Review

It’s been four years since I saw a movie that brought me so much joy – that film being Greta Gerwig‘s absolutely masterful Little Women – and now after years and years of waiting, another movie has brought me a similar sense of warmth, comfort, and uplifting – Kelly Fremon Craig‘s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

For those who are unaware, Craig’s previous directorial effort was The Edge of Seventeen, which just so happens to be one of my ten favorite films of all time. It’s such an emotional rollercoaster ride of a film that has a humongous beating heart at its core, boasting stellar performances, and great humor.

Craig’s involvement with this film was one of the biggest reasons why I was so giddy to see it, and I can tell you that it didn’t disappoint. As a matter of fact, I liked this film even more than I thought I would. This story is obviously aimed toward a younger audience, but even still, it didn’t change my enjoyment level of the film which was such a relief.

This has Edge of Seventeen vibes written all over it, while also serving as a great period piece drama. One of the best things about this movie is just how much it focuses on Margaret’s parents Barbara and Herb. Craig could’ve written them as just Margaret’s parents. One-note. But instead, she made the wise decision to focus on them a great deal and make them feel like real people.

There is one particular storyline in this film involving Barbara’s parents that made me tear up. Rachel McAdams is without a doubt one of the best actresses of all-time if you ask me, and her performance here is proof of that. She’s such a versatile actress and if she’s given the right material, she’s going to blow you away.

Benny Safdie also does a tremendous job as Herb, who, on the surface, looks like the most happy-go-lucky guy in the entire world. He definitely does promote a happy and healthy attitude in his day-to-day life but he also understands real-world problems and he is layered. We get to see more of this as the film progresses and it really humanizes him.

But perhaps the best performance here comes from Abby Ryder Fortson in the titular role of Margaret. She embodies this character so perfectly and she sells every single moment. She feels like a genuine person that you might’ve been friends with back when you were her age.

The fact that Fortson is only fifteen-years-old and is this good at acting is astounding. Let’s just hope that as the years go by she will get more and more work because she’s clearly talented and this movie is proof of that. Everyone involved with this project brought their A-game.

One of the most shocking surprises here was the fact that Hans Zimmer did the score, and to the surprise of nobody, it sounded incredible. By the time the end credits rolled and I saw who composed the film, it all made sense as to why it all sounded so lovely and powerful.

This is one of those rare movies where I genuinely didn’t dislike a single thing about it. It’s insanely rewatchable as well, and I plan on revisiting it just as many times as I did The Edge of Seventeen (which is about eight or nine times at this point). Time will only tell what Craig tackles next, but I am confident in saying that it’s going to be great. She’s quickly become one of my favorite directors. Period.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret proves Kelly Fremon Craig isn’t a one-trick pony. It’s a beautifully uplifting, inspiring, emotionally charged, hilarious, and wholesome injection of pure comfort in cinematic form.