Fontaine's Film Wipe

Great stories deal with big themes, things like personal growth (the hero's journey), love, hatred, war, religion, death. Writer and director Kelly Fremon Craig adapted Judy Blume's 1970 coming-of-age story about a pubescent girl and her daily adventures into a deft film that deals with a few of these overarching subjects. When I went to see it, I expected a modernized (i.e., sanitized) version of a very down-to-earth story, but was surprised to find that the picture embraces the trials and tribulations of its protagonist in the context of the early seventies, and doesn't attempt to update the material. This was wise; Judy Blume's novel is a bestseller because it's a good yarn, and good yarns shouldn't be tampered with.  Successful movies are always well cast, and "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." is cast perfectly. Rachel McAadams shines as Barbara Simon, mother of Abby Ryder Fortson's Margaret. The ageless Kathy Bates is convincing as g