Film "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret"-Stars Rachel McAdams/Kathy Bates

The beloved coming of age novel, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret?" was groundbreaking for its depiction of young girls discussing menses, contemplating religious convictions, and contending with bust development along with peer pressures and attraction to boys.  Judy Blume's novel from 1970 is about 6th grader, Margaret.  Margaret is at the fulcrum of the movie.  She's the only child of doting parents and a loving grandma.  Margaret's father is Jewish, her mother, Christian.  Margaret has been raised without any religious instruction.  This is a classic, coming-of-age story.  It had never been made into a film until now.  James L. Brooks bought the rights and produced the film.  Kelly Craig ("The Edge of Seventeen") directed and adapted the screenplay.  Brooks also bought and produced "Edge of Seventeen".  The film not only captures the angst and awkwardness of adolescences it does a magnificent job of bringing all the characters to life with tenderness and credibility. The movie starts with the  energetic zeal of girls enjoying the joys of friendships and summer camp activities.  Upon returning home, it's revealed, somewhat inadvertently by her grandmother, Sylvie (the incomparable Kathy Bates who deserves an Oscar nom. for her role) she'll be moving to NJ with her folks.  This is met with dread by Margaret whose happy living where she is in now.  Margaret maintains an ongoing, one-sided dialogues with God; not unlike Tevye in "Fiddler".  Her mom is played by the talented Rachel McAdams who also deserves an Oscar nom. for her performance.  Both mom and dad are loving, kind parents; almost too good to be true.   As Margaret wants to fit in with her new friends, she asks mom to take her bra shopping and also questions why she's never met her maternal grandparents.  Her mom is hesitant in her response.   She informs her daughter she was disowned by her parents for having married someone Jewish.  This startling revelation is hard for Margaret to fathom.  The film intelligently deals with somber issues but remains lighthearted throughout.  There are the first spin the bottle parties, revolving friendships and fun-times with grandma Sylvie in NYC.  The pride Sylvie takes when entering the synagogue with her granddaughter and Sylvie's running explanations to Margaret is a scene to cherish.  Margaret's dawning awareness and empathy of how her classmates perceive and treat each other hits its mark honestly.  Are you getting me?  This film is a "reel"  delight.  I highly recommend it to adolescents and adults alike.  It's me, Melinda.