That only makes it all the more appreciated to have a documentary like this that gives her the room to speak for herself with an openness and honesty which proves to be refreshing. It was deceptive to readers and disrespectful to Blume. Without getting too much into the nonsense alluded to earlier, there was a recent attempt to distort her words and add in support for another author's hateful ideas that had nothing to do with what she was saying. This is where hearing Blume speak freely about her perspective, both in present sit-down interviews and archival footage, proves to be illuminating. RELATED: Why Has It Taken This Long to Get a Mainstream, Big Screen Judy Blume Adaptation? As the film puts the past and present in conversation with each other, never losing sight of the humanity of the author herself, it makes clear that the fight against repression of literature is not over due to the resurgence of reactionary forces. This, as we soon learn, did not come without a conservative backlash whose playbook remains all too familiar. However, it was also just as much her willingness to be open about the reality of growing up that made them resonate. Obviously, Blume was a sharply funny writer who was able to capture the experience of being a kid trying to make their way in the world unlike anyone else out there. It speaks to the way her stories shaped the lives of people, be they writers, celebrities, or countless kids, due to how open they could be. Whether it is getting to hear from a man on the beach who shouts excitedly about Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, one of her many outstanding children’s books that the documentary explores the underpinnings of, or the many young people that have sent her letters over the years, there is a real tenderness to the experience. For all the documentaries out there that dive into a niche topic and expose something that is unfamiliar to us, there is much to be appreciated in a film uncovering details about someone who is already an indelible part of American culture yet is still more than deserving of a deeper look.
Before the feature adaptation Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret is released into theaters, this is the exact type of film that works as a primer for newcomers and a reflective portrait for those who are already more than familiar with her. Though certainly not as groundbreaking as the author herself, it more than gets the job done in both profiling her and discussing the vast impact her work has had. While a work like this could easily fall into being just a rote recounting of her life and career, it manages to bring a greater texture to the experience. If the past week has shown us anything, there is a distinct value to a documentary like Judy Blume Forever letting the iconic American author speak in her own words.
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