Kramer vs.
Kramer is rated as one of the best courtroom dramas out there, but in my
opinion, the best part of the movie happens outside the courtroom. The bonding
between father and son after the wife decides to leave is something we all
should see and will come to appreciate.
The movie is a
classic and went on to win five Academy Awards in 1979, including Best Picture,
Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Supporting
Actress.
One highlight of
the movie is that it doesn’t favor one side over the other. From the get-go, we
can see where both Ted and Joanna Kramer faltered in their marriage. Even in
the courtroom, it’s clear that, although separated, they still care for each
other.
This courtroom
drama is based on an adapted screenplay (written and directed by Robert Benton)
from a book of the same name by Avery Corman. The movie tackles the sad reality
of divorce and child custody. While the woman walking out on her husband ultimately
led to a better future for all three parties involved, I feel it could have
been avoided if both parties (well, mostly the husband) had been patient enough
to communicate.
As far as acting
goes, this movie was exceptionally well done. The actors were so well-suited
for their roles that I felt something that rarely happens when watching modern
movies. That feeling is when you get sucked into a story, and for over an hour,
you forget yourself and your surroundings, completely immersed in the world
painted on the screen.
As mentioned
earlier, the movie is about a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Kramer (played by Dustin
Hoffman and Meryl Streep, respectively), who are divorced and fighting for
custody of their son, Billy (Justin Henry).
The
accolades Kramer vs. Kramer received are extensive. The movie was
both a critical and commercial success (grossing over $106 million compared
to its $8 million budget) and served as a launchpad for Meryl Streep’s career.
There’s no
reason anyone who claims to be a movie lover should miss this film. The four
leads were phenomenal, and Justin Henry (who played Billy) was only 7 years old
at the time of the movie’s release. Despite it being his debut, he acted like
someone who had been doing this for years.
Kramer vs. Kramer—a classic courtroom drama for all to see, I really enjoyed it.
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