3.5 stars out of 5
Full disclosure, I never read this book, nor have I ever been an 11-year-old girl. I think I read Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing, does that count? At any rate, in hopes of gaining slightly better understanding of all the former 11-year-old girls in my life — and to support legendary Jersey girl Judy Blume — I went to see this movie.
For others who aren’t familiar with the plot, well, there isn’t too much of one. It’s a school year in the life of 6th grader Margaret. And though her ups and downs seem pretty tame to, oh, a middle-aged man, for the tween set it’s drama-packed: cliques, peer pressure, crushes, changing dynamic with parents, becoming a “woman,” and in Margaret’s specific case, adjusting to a new home and new school (which I could relate to).
Pun intended, it’s a period piece, set in 1970. (This is handled subtly — they don’t overdo the bellbottoms and flower power.) This time frame allows the filmmakers to portray the girls a bit more innocently than they would need to today, while also serving, along with the soundtrack, as nostalgia for the book’s OG YA readers.
As the title hints, religion plays a key role in the story. Because mom Rachel “Jack Still Loves You” McAdams was basically disowned by her parents for marrying a Jewish guy, they raise Margaret without religion, saying she can decide on her own later. (Possibly the in-laws weren’t upset that he was Jewish, but rather that Benny Safdie is such a boring actor, in an undeveloped role.) Margaret begins a research project on religion, giving the story slightly more bite.
Grandma Kathy Bates doesn’t get much to do. As Margaret, Abby Ryder Fortson — who was forgettable as the daughter in the first two Ant-Man movies — shows some spunk and realistic awkwardness here, and I can imagine a successful future for her.
Simple, straightforward, sweet — this is a pretty good movie. Bring the age-appropriate kids, who will almost certainly appreciate it even more than I did.
Jack Silbert, curator