Judy Blume’s classic book Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.has been part of every young girl’s adolescence since it was released in 1970. In its first film adaptation, Kelly Fremon Craig takes Blume’s beloved novel, and elevates it with a layered and lived-in supporting performance of Barbara Simon, portrayed by Rachel McAdams. 

McAdams has continually demonstrated she is one of the best working actresses. From Mean Girls to The Family Stone, before and after her Oscar nominated turn in Spotlight, McAdams has always brought her A-game. Yet, with Are You There, God. It’s Me, Margaret it is not only Margaret’s (Abby Ryder Fortson) journey growing into her adolescence, but it is equally Barbara’s coming-of-a-certain-age story. We get to explore a woman looking to redefine her life, her purpose, and her healing. Through that journey, we witness McAdams at her best. 

The moment that sticks out most for audience members is the conversation between Barbara and Margaret. After Margaret inquiries about her maternal grandparents, Barbara has to explain to Margaret why they are not in contact with Barbara’s parents. Barbara has to navigate the truth that she was disowned by her deeply religious Christian parents while also not vilifying them. It is a balancing act of explaining this painful truth to her child and keeping her own emotions at bay. McAdams is devastatingly great as she navigates this moment. She attempts to tell Margaret as matter of fact about her parents, but her tears begin to betray her. It’s McAdams simply saying “Sorry” while whipping away to tears that instantly breaks your heart. You can identify with that moment. A past hurt, that you feel you’ve overcome, finding any way to escape as you recount it. The scene could continue with stoicism, but after Margaret remarks, “But you are their daughter,” it is the comforting smile McAdams gives that speaks volumes. Here, Barbara is clearly so touched by the care of her daughter, and consciously or not that is a reflection of her own parenting. Simultaneously, it’s a smile to mask the sadness, that soon floods her face, but only for a second. The layers McAdams adds to this scene are subtle but incredibly powerful. 

It is the same thing she does later on in the film. Barbara experiences her own struggles as she goes from an artist and teacher to a stay-at-home mother. The many facets of her personhood have now been parsed and reduced with motherhood taking center stage. Yet, that does not mean her creative drive has disappeared. So, one day, at the house she cannot bear to fully furnish, she sees the most spectacular bird outside. The excitement and wonder in her eyes immediately draws you in. In that moment, something has ignited in Barbara we haven’t witnessed before. McAdams wordlessly says everything Barbara is feeling: amazement, inspired, alive. It is my favorite scene in the film. McAdams captures something I saw in my own childhood. My creative parents trying to juggle work, parenting, their relationship, and their creative endeavors. All important parts of them, with some being neglected more often than others. It is the disappointment in McAdams’ face as the doorbell rings, scaring the bird away, that this ephemeral moment was over so quickly for Barbara. She was so close to feeling itagain, but swiftly it flew away. 

These are just two examples of the rich and layered performance McAdams gives in this film. She becomes the exemplification of the mom most wish they could be: doing their absolute best in their flawed human truth. It is true that part of McAdams’ performance soars because of the script. Without Fremon Craig giving Barbara the complexity of a real human person, I fear we would have been given the same caricature of motherhood we generally see. With her performance, McAdams has elevated Barbara Simon. Adding the warmth and compassion you could only hope to have as a parent, while also honoring her missteps and mistakes. McAdams knows how to convey so much emotion in her performances. Whether it is through her frustrations with her parents as she witnesses the hurt it is causing her daughter or the mixture of excitement and sadness as her daughter matures into young adulthood. She’s not meant to be perfect, but she certainly feels real. There is an authenticity McAdams exudes throughout the film that you cannot help but be swept up in her work. It is her grounded, honest portrayal that cements McAdams in Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. as one of the best performances of the year.

You can find Morgan’s review of Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret. here on In Their Own League.
You can find our own review of Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret. here.
Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret. is currently available to rent or buy.