There are many things children deal with as they grow up trying to understand adulthood. As they reach puberty it can be a confusing undertaking that they experience as their body changes. For girls, it is emotional and a long process experiencing the transformations they endure during the ages of nine through sixteen. This theatrical event will demonstrate the performance made by these young fantastic actors showing these events we have all encountered.
Based on a book published by famous author Judy Blume who has written many children’s books over the years. If you ask any young adult today who Judy is they would know who she is and what books they read when they were in elementary school. This top allstar author has written many classics, but Judy’s work on this book is one of the best top 100 children’s novels of all-time.
Eleven year old Margaret Simon (Abby Ryder Fortson), a young sixth grader, who wonders when women hood will come for her, is thrust upon these life changes. Now in competition with her new friends, Nancy Wheeler (Elle Graham,) who puts together a girls club that emphasizes on the girls expressing these changes to each other when they happen. Along with these new friends, Janie Loomis (Amari Alexis Price), and Gretchen Potter (Katherine Mallen Kupferer), life becomes much harder for Margaret. But, what she does not know and begins to discover is that all of the girls have the same hopes and worries that she struggles with.
Since the family moved for better opportunities, from living with Margaret’s paternal grandmother Sylvia Simon (Kathy Bates), Barbara Simon (Rachel McAdams), her mother, and Herb Simon (Benny Safdie), her father, are struggling keeping Margaret on track with schooling, friends, and lack of religious faith. With all of that going on, she also has many new and exciting opportunities with boys now in her life, like Freddy Barnett (Jecobi Swain), hottest boy in their class, and Moose Freed (Adian Wojak-Hissong), a boy from down the street.
Kelly Fremon Craig, director and writer, does a spectacular job depicting one of the greatest children’s novels in the last one hundred years. She genuinely expresses the meaning of the story and presents it well to the audience. Bringing you back to the time of the book, the 70’s, she expresses that time period very well with a marvelous presentation. Kelly also put together a spectacular cast that performs their roles perfectly and truly entertains. This amazing but fun story that presents this classic book in an excellent manner depicts that age group effortlessly.
Final Comment: I based my grade on an excellent storyline based on a book that helps every young girl who reads it.
Stars 3.5 out of 5
Additional Film Information
Cast: Rachel McAdams, Abby Ryder Fortson, Elle Graham, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates.
Directed and written by: Kelly Fremon Craig.
Based on Book Author: Judy Blume
Genre: Comedy and Drama.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material involving sexual education and some suggestive material.
Running Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Release Date: April 28, 2023
Distributed By: Lionsgate, and Starz.
Release In: Standard
