Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a film that won hearts when it streamed on Netflix a few months ago. However, the film is no longer part of the OTT giant's library and has moved to a new platform. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is now currently streaming on SonyLIV (OTTplay Premium). Kelly Fremon Craig directs and writes the 2023 comedy-drama film, which is based on Judy Blume's 1970 novel of the same name. Abby Ryder Fortson plays the lead role, while the film also has Rachel McAdams, Elle Graham, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates in supporting roles.

Legacy of Judy Blume's classic novel

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume has been a classic and revolutionary work for more than half a century. The profound humour, honest examination of life's greatest mysteries, and enduring coming-of-age narrative in the film have left an impression on many generations. 

The film adaptation by Lionsgate follows 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) as she moves from New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey and experiences the chaotic and exciting transition to puberty while making new friends at a different school. Sylvia, her devoted grandma, isn't pleased they left and reminds them of it whenever she gets the chance. Rachel McAdams portrays Barbara, her mother, who is struggling to adapt to life outside of the big city. Barbara leans on her mother for support. 

Gracie Films' Academy Award® winner James L. Brooks produces the picture, which also stars Benny Safdie. Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Kelly Fremon Craig, Judy Blume, Amy Lorraine Brooks, Aldric La'auli Porter, and Jonathan McCoy serve as executive producers. The screenplay and direction are by Kelly Fremon Craig, with Judy Blume serving as the book's inspiration.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret made $21 million globally and was well-received by critics.

Judy Blume's approval and Hans Zimmer's contribution

Author Judy Blume gave the rights to her book to James L. Brooks and Kelly Fremon Craig, who collaborated on The Edge of Seventeen (2016) and had Craig cast as writer and director, after she turned down multiple proposals to adapt the novel in the 49 years after its publication. Hans Zimmer composed the film's score.

The wacky and enduring message is brilliantly conveyed in the film, which feels just as current now as it did when it was originally released. In this poignant film, we see 11-year-old Margaret and her family as they navigate the upheaval of relocating from their familiar New York City home to a strange suburban community in New Jersey. As Margaret starts a new phase of her life as an adolescent, she experiences a range of emotions related to her friends, religion, and her position in the world.

Timeless message and emotional core of the film

It's a remarkable achievement for a film version of a cherished classic book to innovate while building upon the original in ways that cinema could never have imagined. Margaret's story gets just the right amount of weight and gravity to make it work, making her experiences believable and significant enough that any viewer can identify with its emotional core. The film's concepts of self-actualization and evolution create the fundamental version of the story, a timeless message.

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