Movie Info
Movie Name: Judy Blume Forever
Studio: Imagine Documentaries
Genre(s): Documentary
Release Date(s): January 21, 2023 (Sundance)/April 21, 2023 (Internet)
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
The book that sparked a ton of bans
Judy Blume had an idea. She decided to write children’s books by talking about things kids actually talk about. Without a “Young Adult” market, Judy’s books were seen as controversial…especially since her writing bridged from youth to teen to adult. As Bloom faced censorship, she didn’t sit back…Judy Blume realized it was time to fight!
Directed by Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok, Judy Blume Forever is a documentary biopic. The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival before being released on Amazon Prime on .
I loved Judy Blume when I was little. I read The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo, The Pain and the Great One, Freckle Juice, and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing…when I checked out Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret in third grade…I had questions. I realize that reading can open your mind, but it can also can challenge…and not everyone thinks people should be challenged.
Pat Buchanan meets someone who challenges him
Judy Blume shows in the documentary that she doesn’t have all the answers, but she isn’t afraid to try to talk about them. Personally, Blume would easily admit that she made lots of mistakes in life. The books she wrote were attempts to explore things that all kids have questions about or have to make decisions about…sometimes more adult than they expect.
The documentary’s biggest reveal is how Blume interacts with her readers. With her honesty, Blume was trusted by her readers who often would ask tough questions or tell intimate secrets to her…and Blume often wrote back. The film tracks down some of her readers and has them read her messages from her and to her…it makes the effect of her writing real.
Letters from fans…and building bonds
The documentary is simple but nice. It consists of interviews and clips from Judy’s life. It is interesting to see the videos of Blume facing challenges to her work in the past, but it is also good to see that she hasn’t just decided to “get old”. She is active and carved a new life and career in Key West that appears to keep her young.
Judy Blume Forever is timely. Books are being dumped from libraries again. It proves the fight is never over and despite Blume’s books being in libraries for decades, now they are scary again. Judy Blume will always have a place in the library no matter what people say or do…but she also always has a place in her readers’ hearts.
