'Kramer vs Kramer' is a ground-breaking drama about the heartbreak of divorce and the struggle between work and family. Young husband and father, Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) loves his family - and his job, which is where he spends most of his time. When he returns home late one evening from work, his wife Joanna (Meryl Streep) confronts him and then leaves him to take care of their six-year-old son while she goes off to find herself. Ted struggles with the demands of balancing a high-pressure career while trying to adapt to his new role of single parent. Just as Ted starts to feel like a fulfilled parent, Joanna returns, but this time she wants her son back...
Directed by
Robert Benton
Written by
Avery Corman (novel) Robert Benton (written by)
Starring
Dustin Hoffman (Ted Kramer); Meryl Streep (Joanna Kramer); Jane Alexander (Margaret Phelps); Justin Henry (Billy Kramer); Howard Duff (John Shaunessy); George Coe (Jim O'Connor); JoBeth Williams (Phyllis Bernard (as Jobeth Williams)); Bill Moor (Gressen); Howland Chamberlain (Judge Atkins); Jack Ramage (Spencer); Jess Osuna (Ackerman); Nicholas Hormann (Interviewer); Ellen Parker (Teacher); Shelby Brammer (Ted's Secretary); Carol Nadell (Mrs. Kline). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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The Heart-wrenching Cost of Divorce
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
Kramer vs Kramer is a acute exploration of the divorce process and ultimately what it means to be a parent. The film builds slowly to climax with the deep heart-felt emotions that are being traded amongst those involved; not least with respect to young Billy. In trying to juggle his new-found status as a single parent Billy's dad Ted also discovers that parenting really is a two-person job, yet he is adamant that there is nothing that makes Billy's mother Joanna a better parent simply by virtue of her sex. There is also an underlying acknowledgement of the selfishness and anger that the divorce process is most-usually accompanied with, yet the deep undeniable love that is still present also cannot be denied; creating what is ultimately a lose-lose situation. Kramer vs Kramer is a truly poignant film.
