Kramer vs. Kramer is a 1979 American legal drama film written and directed by Robert Benton, based on Avery Corman's 1977 novel of the same name. The film stars Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander, and Justin Henry. It tells the story of a couple's divorce, its impact on their young son, and the subsequent evolution of their relationship and views on parenting.
The film was a major critical and commercial success, grossing over $173 million on an $8 million budget, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1979 in the United States and Canada and receiving a leading nine nominations at the 52nd Academy Awards, winning a leading five awards; Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (for Hoffman), Best Supporting Actress (for Streep), and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The film made use of the first movement of Antonio Vivaldi's Mandolin Concerto in C Major, making the piece more familiar among classical music listeners.
Plot
The film tells the story of a couple's divorce, its impact on their young son, and the subsequent evolution of their relationship and views on parenting. Ted Kramer is a workaholic advertising executive in New York City whose wife, Joanna, leaves him and their young son, Billy, because she is unhappy in the marriage. She has had no contact with Billy for a period of approximately 15 months. Ted struggles to juggle his career and single parenthood. After a rocky start, he and Billy eventually fall into a routine and form a close bond.
Fifteen months later, Joanna returns to New York and files for custody of Billy. After a bench trial, the judge awards custody of Billy to Joanna. Ted and Billy are devastated. At the end of the film, when Joanna goes to pick up Billy to move him to her residence, she decides that Billy already has a home with his father and she is not going to force him to move in with her.
The film explores the psychology and fallout of divorce and touches upon prevailing or emerging social issues such as gender roles, fathers' rights, work-life balance, and single parents. It is praised for the way in which it gave equal weight and importance to both Joanna and Ted's points of view, reflecting a cultural shift that occurred during the 1970s when ideas about motherhood and fatherhood were changing.
Trailer
Cast
Main Cast:
- Dustin Hoffman as Ted Kramer
- Meryl Streep as Joanna Kramer
- Justin Henry as Billy Kramer
- Jane Alexander as Margaret Phelps
Supporting Cast:
- Howard Duff as John Shaunessy
- George Coe as Jim O'Connor
- JoBeth Williams as Phyllis Bernard
- Howland Chamberlain as Judge Atkins
- Dan Tyra as Court Clerk
Minor Roles:
- Petra King as Petie Phelps
- Frederick W. Hand as Mrs. Kline's Son
- Jack Ramage as Spencer
- Jess Osuna as Ackerman
- Nicholas Hormann as Interviewer
- Ellen Parker as Teacher
- Shelby Brammer as Ted's Secretary
- Carol Nadell as Mrs. Kline
- Judith Calder as Receptionist
- Peter Lownds as Waiter
- Kathleen Keller as Waitress
- Iris Klein as Partygoer
- Evelyn Hope Bunn as Partygoer
- Quentin J. Hruska as Policeman
- Sean Albertson as Boy in Hospital (uncredited)
- Llewellyn Lafford as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Director: Robert Benton
Writer: Avery Corman, Robert Benton
Box Office Gross: $106,260,000
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Genre: Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1979
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
General:
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