Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret: Forming Connection & Empathy

Young adult stories are some of my favorites. It may be the teacher in me but there is something compelling and moving about a young person finding themselves or gaining understanding. There is also something genuinely moving and inspiring about it. While there are many that see this the same way, the genre is often placed a little lower than others. Even in praise, adjectives like cute or sweet are a continual focus on the age of the “kids” reads as dismissive. The same way the emotions and experiences of young people often are. Even though there is nothing inherently wrong with the words being used and are, at times, apt descriptors, there is a level of condescension in the rhetoric. This robs YA films of their depth, complexity and meaning. In the specific case of Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, it can rob it of its excellence. 

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret is excellent. An adaptation from the classic Judy Blume book (of the same name), the film captures the essence of the book beautifully. Bringing what made the book such a classic to the scene with just as much aplomb. Making it the rare book to film adaptation that works as an accompaniment, as opposed to a lesser more consumable version. Following the quality of this rich source material seems easy enough, that in and of itself would be a bit dismissive. Many great books have failed in its adaptation. Rare is even the “good” adaptation, so while the source material is truly classic, it is quite the feat that this film matches it in the best and most important ways. 

Readily, I’ll admit, as a 36 year old man, I am not this film’s target demographic. However, my feelings after this film mirror that of the book and consist of the lion share of my praise, which is that I connected with this story. The brilliance of any story is the ability for anyone to enjoy it and connect with it. Oftentimes we’re talking about being seen, or seeing ourselves in the character. While that is certainly very important, and in the case of this film true for many women, it’s not the only way one connects with a film. Here is where the brilliance of the story and then that of the adaptation lies. 

This is a perfectly told story. Rather simple in its plotting but perfect nonetheless. That simplicity brings out its practicality. It feels like a slice of life, normal, and innocuous. Much like the lives of many of us. The story telling shines because in that simplicity is the tension, drama and weight of all these experiences being explored. They are explored with full seriousness and with the understanding of how it shapes a person. 

So while I will never understand the pressure and anxiety of waiting for my first period, I can understand the pressure and anxiety of wanting something so badly. Something that is fully out of my control, so much so that it consumes me. And thus the bind it builds with the parent or loved one that walks through that experience with you. This is the beauty of storytelling and specifically really good storytelling. While I have my own emotional response to a story I can learn and connect with others by how they respond to it, especially when it is more personal. Stories like Are You There God? create empathy. 

Herein lies the importance of this film. It’s not often you have a story that is specifically about the female experience during this age. There are versions of it, some experiences, but rarely a hyper focus on this experience. One that places a young girl, her feelings, emotions and perspective, at the center of the story. That is tremendously valuable. There is a level of representation that is important. Which brings about the power of this film and it being so good. Having all viewers see the world through Margaret’s eyes and experiences, forces a segment of the audience to see the world in a new way. To connect with a character outside of a shared experience. To bridge the gap via something deeper than experience. For some, it’s connection through emotion, empathy and a new understanding. Ideally, this wouldn’t be powerful because it would be the norm. But we are far from an ideal world and at times representation can be powerful. So Are You There God? derives its power from our unfamiliarity. That power is multiplied when the quality is as it is here. 

Ultimately what you’re getting with Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is truly great filmmaking. In about every aspect possible there is top tier work. This makes it a great adaptation and a great YA, but mostly it makes it a great film. Removing those qualifiers and allowing this film to exist as is, is important. It’s simply one of the best films of this year and should have the legs to remain in that conversation throughout 2023. It’s not as complex or artistic in its thematic relevance. But it is thoughtful, beautiful, interesting and enjoyable. A film that should be revisited time and time again. Hopefully, its legacy can stretch as wide and far as its source material. Presenting a new generation with the importance and beauty of this story, and holding its place alongside other similarly great films.