- Awards And Honors:
- BAFTA (1981)
- Academy Award (1980)
- Golden Globe Award (1980)
Kramer vs. Kramer
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What is the film "Kramer vs. Kramer" about?
Kramer vs. Kramer, released in 1979, is a film about a wrenching divorce and custody battle, told from the parents' point of view. Ted Kramer, an advertising executive, comes home one day to his wife, Joanna, who announces she is leaving him and their six-year-old son, Billy.
Ted and Billy struggle in Joanna’s absence, but Ted adjusts to being Billy’s caretaker. Some 15 months later, Joanna returns, wanting custody. In court, each parent is brutally attacked, but ultimately Joanna wins custody. Ted decides not to appeal to spare Billy from testifying. However, on the day Billy is to go home with Joanna, she realizes Billy belongs with Ted and leaves him.
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Who are the main characters in "Kramer vs. Kramer"?
Kramer vs. Kramer, released in 1979, revolves around a divorce and custody battle, primarily from the parents' perspectives.
The main characters are Ted Kramer, an advertising executive played by Dustin Hoffman, and Joanna Kramer, his wife, portrayed by Meryl Streep, who leaves him and their son. Their son, Billy Kramer, is played by Justin Henry. Jane Alexander plays Margaret Phelps, Ted's neighbor and Joanna's friend.
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What event causes conflict in the story of "Kramer vs. Kramer"?
The conflict in Kramer vs. Kramer arises when Joanna Kramer leaves her husband, Ted, and their son, Billy, causing upheaval in their lives. Ted, an advertising executive, is left to balance his demanding career with the responsibilities of single parenthood.
As Ted adjusts to his new role, Joanna returns after 15 months, seeking full custody of Billy. This sets off a bitter legal battle, with both parents forced to confront their shortcomings. Ultimately, though Joanna wins custody, she realizes Billy's true home is with his father and decides to leave him with Ted.
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Who directed "Kramer vs. Kramer" and who played the main roles?
Kramer vs. Kramer, a 1979 American drama, tells the story of a divorce and custody battle from the parents' point of view. Robert Benton directed the film, which was based on Avery Corman's 1977 novel of the same name.
Dustin Hoffman plays Ted Kramer, a high-powered advertising executive, and Meryl Streep plays Joanna Kramer, his wife. Justin Henry plays their six-year-old son, Billy. Jane Alexander plays Margaret Phelps, Ted's neighbor and Joanna's confidante.
The film won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for best picture. Hoffman and Streep both received Oscars for their performances.
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How does the film explore the challenges of parenting and family life?
Kramer vs. Kramer explores the complexities of parenting and family dynamics through the lens of a divorce and custody battle. The film portrays Ted Kramer, an advertising executive, who initially struggles to balance his career with single parenthood after his wife, Joanna, leaves him and their son, Billy.
As Ted adjusts to being Billy’s caretaker, he becomes less self-centered and more dedicated to his son's welfare. However, his work life suffers, and he eventually loses his job. When Joanna returns seeking custody, both parents resort to legal strategies that highlight each other's shortcomings. Ultimately, Joanna recognizes that Billy’s home is with Ted and decides to leave him in his father's care.
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What awards did "Kramer vs. Kramer" win, and why was it important in film history?
Kramer vs. Kramer, released in 1979, is a film about a divorce and custody battle told from the perspective of the parents. The movie garnered numerous awards, including the Academy Award for best picture.
The film is important because it explores shifting family dynamics and gender roles, portraying a father's growth as a caregiver and a mother's struggle for self-discovery. It also touches on the emotional toll of divorce on families.
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Kramer vs. Kramer, American dramatic film, released in 1979, that tells the wrenching story of a divorce and custody battle from the point of view of the adults. The movie, which starred Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, won numerous awards, among them the Academy Award for best picture.
(Read Martin Scorsese’s Britannica essay on film preservation.)
Ted Kramer (Hoffman) is a high-powered advertising executive who focuses almost exclusively on his work. As the movie begins, he has just landed a large account for his company. After celebrating, he arrives home to his wife, Joanna (Streep), who announces that she is leaving him. Ted does not take her seriously at first but panics when she tells him that she is also leaving their six-year-old son, Billy (Justin Henry). Over the next few weeks, Ted and Billy struggle in Joanna’s absence. Billy challenges his father, and Ted is frequently angered when Billy’s needs interfere with his ability to focus on work. As time goes on, however, Ted becomes less self-centerd and adjusts to being Billy’s parent, and Billy gets used to Ted as his caretaker. Ted and his recently divorced neighbor, Margaret (Jane Alexander), who had been Joanna’s confidante, become friends. In a scene that illustrates Ted’s new dedication to his son’s welfare, Billy falls off a jungle gym at a park, badly cutting his face, and Ted races with him to a nearby hospital.
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While his home life improves, Ted’s work situation suffers. Since he is no longer able to devote himself fully at the office, he eventually loses his job. Some 15 months after having left, Joanna returns, saying that she now feels capable of mothering Billy and that she will seek full custody of the child. Ted and Joanna each begin meeting with lawyers and crafting strategies to paint the other as a bad parent. Ted, frantic to get a new job before the custody hearing, negotiates a significant pay decrease in order to secure immediate employment. At the hearing, each lawyer brutally attacks the other parent, bringing up the number of lovers whom Joanna has had during the separation as well as the injury that Billy suffered in the playground while Ted was watching. Though Margaret testifies that Ted has become a devoted parent, custody is ultimately awarded to Joanna. When Ted learns that Billy would have to testify if he should appeal, he drops that idea and prepares Billy for the new situation. On the day that Billy is to go home with Joanna, she tells Ted that she has realized that Billy’s home is with him and that she will not be taking him.
Kramer vs. Kramer was based on a 1977 novel of the same title by Avery Corman. François Truffaut was considered to direct the film, and Nestor Almendros, who frequently worked with Truffaut, was hired as cinematographer. Eventually, Robert Benton, who adapted the story for the screen, was chosen to direct. During filming, Hoffman and Streep reportedly had a strained working relationship as Hoffman allegedly employed questionable techniques to enhance Streep’s performance. In one noted example, he slapped the actress during a scene without telling her beforehand. Despite such tensions, both gave Oscar-winning performances.
Production notes and credits
- Studios: Columbia Pictures and Stanley Jaffe Productions
- Director: Robert Benton
- Writer: Robert Benton (screenplay)
- Cinematography: Nestor Almendros
Cast
- Dustin Hoffman (Ted Kramer)
- Meryl Streep (Joanna Kramer)
- Justin Henry (Billy Kramer)
- Jane Alexander (Margaret Phelps)
Academy Award nominations (* denotes win)
- Picture*
- Lead actor* (Dustin Hoffman)
- Supporting actor (Justin Henry)
- Supporting actress* (Meryl Streep)
- Supporting actress (Jane Alexander)
- Cinematography
- Direction*
- Editing
- Writing*