Are You There God? It's Me Margaret

Again, Again! Films I have Re-Watched in 2024

Hi Readers,

After using the app Letterboxd, I started adding up the films I have re-watched this year so I have had this post in the back of my mind to discuss. There are a wide range of genres listed here and many of these films I have not watched for years and wanted to revisit. There are a few, of course, such as Mamma Mia! that I watch at least once a year and Wicked which I re-watched again after a couple of weeks in the cinema as I loved it so much.

2012 (2009)

This film falls into my favourite sub-genre of film: natural disaster films. This one certainly is a disaster with practically the whole world ending and our heroes racing to find an escape. Through connections, John Cusack’s character discovers arcs designed to survive the extinction level events and with his family and ex-wife’s new partner, they journey to survive. It’s a race against time across America and the world as a whole. The group meet various characters along the way, both friends and foes.

I last watched this film a few years ago and enjoyed it at the time but there’s something about 2000s visual effects and plot lines that is so different to the films of the 2020s. The family themselves are likeable and even the characters that you are supposed to dislike, have redeemable qualities. The film itself is a wider commentary on the uber-rich in the US and further afield. Should only those who can afford it, deserve to survive?

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

This was my first re-watch since seeing it at the cinema and it was on a projector so felt similar to the big cinema experience. I enjoyed the film as much as the first time but knowing what happens did take a little of the drama and jeopardy away. Still a fun film and I enjoyed the makeover of the genre to make it more up to date in terms of attitudes but also the technology and visual spectacle.

Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret? (2023)

This film is such a cosy watch and the dilemmas of the teenage protagonists feel very relatable despite the film being set in the 1970s. I first saw this film at an outdoor cinema so watching it at home was a different experience. I think this is a film that I could revisit every year or so as on the whole, its very re-watchable with a great cast and nostalgic themes in terms of the period setting and also reminding you of how it feels to be a pre-teen and all the issues that one worries about.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

I wanted to re-watch after hearing about the sequel (the musical on the West End is now playing too) and I loved the fashion and characters but of course, some of the dialogue and attitudes towards dieting culture are outdated.

I’ve seen people comment that Nate is the real villain of the story because he doesn’t like that Andy is more successful than him but I think the societal pressure on women to be high-flying career women while juggling a long-term relationship, motherhood, friendships and quality time with yourself is the real enemy.

Nate was very supportive of Andy but he thought her industry was not as important as his and therefore never saw her career as more important than their relationship or events with their friends. Andy began to see the importance of her industry and enjoyed working in the exciting, evolving world of fashion in NYC even if it was not her true passion.

Miranda was a stern character but to be successful as a woman even in a female-focused industry required more of her attention than she was prepared to give her husband. He also did not appreciate the benefits that her career and lifestyle in fashion offered.

It will be interesting to see how the magazine industry will be presented in the sequel with Emily being in a powerful role and Miranda’s legacy fading into an increasingly digital world.

Life (2017)

I watched most of this film on a plane years ago when it was new and I might have finished it at some point but this year was when I properly sat down and watched it all. I enjoyed it but I think it wasn’t anything too dissimilar to other space jeopardy films. The humour and alien foe added something but what I think made it enjoyable was the cast. Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhaal had good on-screen chemistry while Rebecca Ferguson and the other actors provided more of the dramatic acting. During press, Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhaal got along really well and that came through on screen. I would like to see them in a film together again.

I don’t think I would watch this one again but I am glad I was able to sit down and watch it all through.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

This was originally going to be an honourable mention but of course I ended up re-watching it as I tend to do every year. My family have seen it many times since it originally came out. We like the music of ABBA and the cast and story work really well together. The summer setting gives it a great warm feeling and brings some sun to the winter. I love all the songs and while there are a lot of older themes in the film, it doesn’t feel too intense or adult and everyone can enjoy it. I do also like the second film but nothing beats the original. I have heard a third film is in the works so it will be interesting to see how they do that film, especially as interest in ABBA has had a resurgence with their hologram show in London.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

I re-watched this film so myself and my family could go and see the new one in cinemas. I saw the first in the cinema and enjoyed it. I have not actually seen the original Ghostbusters films so it was interesting to see it rebooted for a new generation. The cast were good and of course the visual effects and plot were updated so watching the originals may not be as impressive as they were in the 1980s. I liked the inclusion of a female Ghostbuster and that the girl character was the nerd and the older brother was trying to be popular as it is often the other way around.

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023)

I actually watched this over a couple of days simply because it is very long. I saw it first at the cinema and it was a great experience and I wanted to re-watch when it became available on streaming. There were some extra songs that were not included in the cinema release and it was cool to be able to relive the concert in my own living room. This tour has been widely talked about and I hope that a new version is released including the Tortured Poets Department section of the show. I did not get to see the concert in person but the quality and camera angles of the filmed version were so good that I think I would be disappointed in person especially if I had to sit far away.

Bros (2022)

I first saw this film at the BFI Film Festival and I enjoyed it but the story was a little more complex than the average rom-com with Billy Eichner wanting to make it more authentic to the gay experience. Watching it again helped to put it together in my head and I tried to focus more on the humour and the characters than the plot and the on and off nature of the relationship. The film is the first adult gay rom-com to have the big studio backing and it is surprising that it took so long. They did sanitise it a little to appeal to wider audiences but there were plenty of gay experiences and references shown if a little exaggerated. I liked that the lead characters were gay in real life as it gave more reality to the story.

Wicked (2024)

Of course this film has been talked about widely since it came out with many audience members going to see it multiple times. I am included in this and I wanted to see it again as I loved the film and the scenes and songs. It will definitely be great to re-watch once it hits streaming but the spectacle of the film is really felt on the big screen. The second time, I knew the plot so I tried to focus more on the backgrounds and the little details but there is so much visually and aurally to take in, I think it would take a few more re-watches to fully appreciate everything. This film has set a new boundary of what can be achieved in the industry and I am excited to see what arrives next to try and compete with this film. The second film has been announced as coming out in November 2025 and I am eager to see what happens next and how it is presented.

Happy Watching,

Robyn

Guest Writer: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

Something my friend and I discussed after watching was how cool it was to see a film where a girl Margaret’s age is the protagonist, and she deals with all the relatable experiences that she goes through. Most rite of passage films exploring female characters show them in high school, university or in a first job. When it comes to Margaret’s age group films focused on them is still quite unusual and unique unless the genre is adventure, science-fiction or fantasy, which somewhat undercuts the more realistic moments – i.e. The Goonies, E.T. or Stranger Things, and even then there are more male characters than female. While Finding Ohana (2021) features a young girl as the protagonist, the film has more in common with The Goonies than it does with Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Hello readers,

Today’s post has been written by my very special guest writer, Terry! We went to see the film Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret at a rooftop cinema and Terry had the following thoughts:

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023)

The film follows titular sixth-grader Margaret Simon, and her friends and family as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery while navigating all the trials and tribulations that follow. The film is based on eponymous novel by Judy Blume, which was published in 1970, the era in which the film is set as well – consequently many of its elements were definitely ahead of their time. Specifically, in exploring many important themes such as: friendship, religious pressure and tolerance, interfaith marriage, atheism, societal expectations (i.e. being a working mother versus staying at home), puberty, as well as the rush to grow up along with all the pressures young kids put on themselves and each other in reaching certain milestones before being ready or even truly understanding what it all means.

Book-to-film adaptations can be a tricky business and balancing act, changing too much of the source material risks alienating fans and losing many elements of what made the original special and beloved (i.e. the Percy Jackson films). Such is why many say, ‘the book is always better than the movie’. So, it’s fortunate then the author herself has claimed the adaptation is better than her book. While I’ve personally never read any of Blume’s novels I’ve always known who she is and some of the themes she likes exploring, so I can say I was genuinely excited to watch this film. The main reason being the author’s stamp of approval (it’s always a good sign when an adaptation has the author’s support), others including the cast and the subject matter.

The catalyst for the film’s plot and Margaret’s journey is the Simon family’s move from a flat in New York to a suburb in New Jersey after her father is granted a prosperous promotion. This advancement doesn’t only turn Margaret’s world upside-down but inspires her mother Barbara to abandon her hobby of painting and job as an art teacher. Margaret is confused as to why her mother would quit a job that she loves so much, but Barbara claims she is excited to finally have the free time to spend with her and to help out on the school PTA ‘like all the other moms’.

However, Margaret gradually becomes more independent with this life change, especially after being welcomed into an existing friend group at her new school. Her new friends, in their rush to become grown-up and ‘mature’, introduce Margaret to the world of: first crushes, preteen parties, rumours and gossip, while also awakening her urgency to fulfil certain milestones and rite of passages. Including but not limited to: finally getting her period, wearing a bra, and having her first kiss.

Additionally, Margaret’s teacher Mr. Benedict stimulates her curiosity in regard to religion and her own family when he suggests she do a report on her unique (for the time) perspective of coming from a multifaith household. In the sense that Barbara is Christian and was brought up by very devout parents, whilst Margaret’s father Herb and his family are Jewish.

Nowadays a ‘mixed marriage’ like this wouldn’t raise as many eyebrows as it did back then, but for Barbara marrying Herb meant her family saw fit to disown her and cut off all contact. This horrifying rejection is partly what steered Margaret’s parents in choosing to raise her without a religion, with the intention that she choose for herself when she is old enough. While their reasons were noble, and certainly understandable given the circumstances of the situation, an unintended consequence is a feeling of confusion and alienation Margaret struggles with since religion is almost a taboo subject in their family. But even then Margaret is not fully free from religious pressures. Her loving paternal grandmother Sylvia wants her to ultimately decide to become Jewish, whereas her parents seem to hope that in the end she won’t favour any religion. Barbara, perhaps due to the understandable trauma her parents left her with, goes as far to vehemently disapprove and actively discourage Margaret’s religious curiosity. While Herb doesn’t stand in her way he similarly hopes their daughter will gradually lose interest in religion if they don’t force ‘neutrality’ on her.

Despite the feeling of being pulled in numerous directions, and confusion about how and why religion is so powerful in dividing people, Margaret has her own private relationship with God, and reaches out often throughout the film (hence the title). God acts as somewhat of an impartial confidant for Margaret, who habitually prays for guidance and her family’s wellbeing; but also asks for help in reaching/achieving the milestones that her friends introduced her to. In a particularly vulnerable moment Margaret mentally asks God, “Why do I only feel you when I’m alone?”

Although I can’t compare the film’s characters to their novelistic counterparts, I feel like everyone was perfectly cast and subsequently the acting was very good. I was familiar with the young actress playing Margaret, Abby Ryder Fortson, from her portrayal of Cassie Lang in the first two Ant-Man films; and she has definitely come into her own with her well-deserved protagonist placement. Additionally, I’m familiar with Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates’ work and feel they were perfectly cast as, respectively, Margaret’s mother and grandmother.

Something my friend and I discussed after watching was how cool it was to see a film where a girl Margaret’s age is the protagonist, and she deals with all the relatable experiences that she goes through. Most rite of passage films exploring female characters show them in high school, university or in a first job. When it comes to Margaret’s age group films focused on them is still quite unusual and unique unless the genre is adventure, science-fiction or fantasy, which somewhat undercuts the more realistic moments – i.e. The Goonies, E.T. or Stranger Things, and even then there are more male characters than female. While Finding Ohana (2021) features a young girl as the protagonist, the film has more in common with The Goonies than it does with Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Furthermore, the film ever so effortlessly passes the Bechdel test more than once as Margaret has many conversations with her friends and the women in her family about varying topics. For anyone unfamiliar the Bechdel test is a 3-rule test. In order to pass it a work of fiction must 1) feature at least two named female characters, 2) who have a conversation, 3) about a topic not about a man. The fact that Are You there, God? It’s me, Margaret passes the Bechdel is refreshing as it continues being an important tool in gauging female representation in works of fiction, especially when so many media forms fail it (seemingly without even trying).

My only gripes with the film that stop it from being perfect is, even though it did accomplish many of the beats it set out to, it still felt as though there were some loose ends. For example, we don’t see how Margaret makes up with a friend she fought with or find out whether Barbara finally makes amends with her parents. Moreover, I also would have liked to see more interactions with Margaret and her crush Moose, who was a little side-lined throughout the feature (although apparently he was even less of a presence in the book). Despite this, all in all the film was a success. While being set in the 70s it had more diversity than you’d expect, additionally the comedic moments in the film help in lightening the overall tone in regard to all the dramatic scenes. To boot, the film would’ve been impossible to make when the book was first published since the topics such as interfaith marriage, puberty and periods were especially controversial back then, but fortunately with films such as Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret (where they are on full display) these topics are starting to become less and less stigmatised for the next generation.

Terry rates the film as 4/5

Look out for future reviews from special guest writers…

Happy Watching,
Robyn