“Judy Blume Forever” Review
Award-winning writer Judy Blume is now the subject of “Judy Blume Forever,” a documentary film now available on Amazon Prime Video.
As I grow more and more excited for the upcoming film adaptation of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” I have found the perfect companion to this film. After making a splash at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, “Judy Blume Forever” has found its way to theaters and to Amazon Prime Video. Besides being timely for the film based on Judy Blume’s most iconic book, the documentary shows just how insightful her books are and cements her place as one of the great American writers.
Documenting Blume’s life from childhood to her career as a famous writer, the film examines the impact of her books from a variety of perspectives including famous writers and artists, Blume’s children and Judy Blume herself. Through this study, we see not only how much controversy Blume’s writing created, but also how her words continue to have so much value.
Like many children, I grew up reading Judy Blume’s books. I especially related to “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” for a few reasons. One, I was in fourth grade when I read it. That’s just good timing on my part. Two, I myself was a fourth grade nothing. Pause for laughter at the self-deprecating joke. Three, the book was about a boy who has to deal with an annoying bastard of a younger brother who makes his life hell on a daily basis. If anyone has ever had a younger sibling, you can instantly relate to this premise. You might think this is a harsh way to describe my brother, but you weren’t there when he was in kindergarten.
This is why I love Judy Blume’s books so much. As a child, I found myself relating to these characters and they felt so distinctively real. While I haven’t read all of her books, seeing them lined up and talked about in depth in this film felt so daunting and made me want to instantly read her entire bibliography. When you realize all of the topics that she covered, including bullying, sibling rivalry, puberty, menstruation, masturbation, sex and divorce, you realize all of those boundaries that Blume pushed just by writing honestly.
What’s even more incredible is that these books were intended for a young audience and they treated the reader like intelligent, sensible people. It’s like Judy Blume was a literary John Hughes. Or was John Hughes a cinematic Judy Blume? For those that dismiss Blume’s work because of the audience it’s intended for, this is the perfect film to show just how serious her work is.
The power of her writing is felt throughout the entire film. Not only through contemporary footage, but also through interviews with famed writers like Lena Dunham, Anna Konkle and Jaqueline Woodson. The way they discuss Blume’s work makes you understand how her words inspired generations of writers. Despite this fame, the film also depicts just how humble Blume is. One of the best elements of the film shows the letters that Blume received from fans and how she wrote responses to many of them including a years-long correspondence with Lorrie Kim.
Given the subjects that Blume wrote about, her books were, and still are, controversial. The film depicts the recent rise in book censorship, something Blume has spent decades fighting, and the role books like “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” “Deenie” and “Forever…” have played in that fight. It shows how, despite the struggles we are going through with deranged censors, these books will outlast the bans.
Through honesty and an undying creative spirit, Judy Blume has remained one of the most important writers of the 20th and 21st century. “Judy Blume Forever” is a fascinating look at the creative process and influence of her work. If you’re going to see “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” this is worth watching to understand why Blume is important.
