but that happens out there, and hopefully we're gradually, with conversation and stories like this being put into the world, we're moving into a more kind, compassionate time.' 'I think it is really sad that Barb can't have a relationship with her family because of who she loves. If someone's not hurting someone else, then I think anything goes. Open-mindedness and tolerance is, to me, always the way. 'I wish those things just had nothing to do with each other. 'I wish people didn't have to choose between families and themselves, who they innately are,' says McAdams. Meet the woman who taught Austin Butler to move like Elvisĭame Judi Dench on losing the personal touch in medicine

The romcom from the director 'allergic' to romcoms Whether the reason is religion or something else, such as sexuality, the trickiness of navigating a relationship with parents who think differently is something many will relate to. In an emotional point in the film, Barbara explains to Margaret that her own Christian parents disowned her because she married a Jewish man. But I think it's really her journey that she finds out she can just believe in what she believes in, and she doesn't really need to listen to the other people telling her what to do.' 'I think Margaret figures that out as well, and I think she has all these people in her life telling her, you have to be this, you have to use this label. It's a story that has connected generations across the world for more than 50 years, but is only now being adapted for the big screen for the first time.Īs well as learning about sex, Are You There God?, as the title would suggest, also tackles the issue of faith Margaret's mother is Christian and her father is Jewish, and she is raised without an affiliation to either.įortson says it is natural to be curious. Published in 1970, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret - the book that gave us the famous 'We must, we must, we must increase our bust' exercise - is the American author's best-selling novel. She understood the worries and complexities of being a teenager, but treated us like grown-ups. While our sex education classes sternly taught us how not to get pregnant, Blume's stories helped us learn the realities of first sexual encounters and navigating those awkward formative years.

Sex, masturbation, periods, sexuality, body image, puberty, disability, friendship, religion, even death we tittered at some parts, cried at others, and we lapped up Blume's books because they explored these issues in a way that was real and relatable. Pic: Dana Hawley/Lionsgate UKīlume's coming-of-age stories were some of the most popular reads for teenagers, mainly young girls, who passed through on their way to adulthood. Image: Abby Ryder Fortson stars in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

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