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Kramer vs Kramer (1979)



Kramer vs Kramer (1979)



8/10

 
Starring
Dustin Hoffman
Meryl Streep
Justin Henry
Jane Alexander


Directed by Robert Benton


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, as the courtroom scenes do not hit as hard as I expected them to. 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.

The movie tries not to favour 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. But one drawback here is that the movie leans more toward Ted’s perspective, making Joanna’s character feel less developed.

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 it draws you into the movie, something I feel rarely happens when watching modern movies. I was so engrossed that for over an hour, I forgot about 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). At the end, we are left feeling emotional on the way the custody battle goes, but I felt it wraps up a little too quickly, leaving parts of the custody battle feeling unresolved. 

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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