Kramer vs. Kramer

(423)IMDb 7.81h 45min1979X-RayPG

Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep shine in this contemporary tale of family values and difficult choices. Winner of the 1979 Oscar(r) for Best Picture.

Director: Robert Benton

Starring: Meryl Streep Dustin Hoffman Jane Alexander

Genres: Drama

Subtitles: English [CC]

Audio languages: English

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Supporting actors: Justin Henry Howard Duff JoBeth Williams George Coe

Producers: Stanley R. Jaffe Stanley Jaffe

Studio: Columbia Pictures

MPAA rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)

Purchase rights: Stream instantly Details

Format: Prime Video (streaming online video)

Devices: Available to watch on supported devices

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Customer reviews

5 star		77%
4 star		13%
3 star		5%
2 star		1%
1 star		4%

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Francis Booth Lynch

So true to life I didn't realize I was watching a movie

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2019

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Movie 2 of 1979 and 62 overall in my journey through films of my lifetime

A lesson I've learned watching David Lynch movies is that things are so much better when they are juxtaposed to something else. If you want a funny scene you can make a joke. If you want a really funny scene make the same joke sandwiched between two dramatic scenes. The big laugh of "Kramer VS Kramer" got a harder laugh out of me than "1941" could have ever dreamed of. Spielberg said what he loves about "1941" is what critics disliked: that it was busy and loud - sensory overload. I would suggest that the critics were right and it's too bad Spielberg didn't learn a lesson from that. "Kramer vs. Kramer" makes you invest in a relationship between a father and a son and when a comedic moment happens it is not just hilarious it's a relief. Although far from a comedy this movie had me in the palm of its hand, they could make me laugh any time they wanted.

Mark of a story teller that respects their audience's intelligence: The father, Ted Kramer, is advised to make a list of pros and cons to decide if it's worth it to spend more money than he has to fight for custody of his child. The scene shows nothing but cons and the pros list was blank. If this had been a Hallmark Christmas special one can only image the corny words that would have appeared in the pros list. As it was it was indeed blank and it was left to Hofman's acting to make the point. Excellent!

Today so much is made out of connections people make in film school then have few real life experiences. They create caricatures of humans to score political points. This movie could not get funding today, it's way too real, it's about real humans.

I liked the ending. I also wonder what it would have been like to end it not knowing the outcome of the court case. I just don't need conclusive answers to be happy with a story. This is a powerful film and timeless. It has enriched me having seen it. I'm greatful it was made.

Pros
-incredible acting
-incredible story

Cons
-slow beginning

5 people found this helpful

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Holds up beautifully 40 years later

Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2019

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My parents were in the midst of their divorce when my dad and I went to see this in early 1980, a few weeks after its original release. "Saddest movie I've ever seen," said my dad.

Yes, it's plenty sad. But there's also a lot of humor, warmth, and courtroom drama. Powerhouse acting by everybody. Cannot imagine anyone else playing the Meryl Streep role. (Dustin Hoffman and Justin Henry are pretty amazing too.)

Does the film hold up 40 years later? Absolutely, positively. And this Blu-ray edition is just perfect -- colors are just right, crisp and clear video without any "digital" look. Great audio quality, too.

Glad to have added this to my Blu-ray collection. It's a textbook example of how a talented writer/director (in this case, Robert Benton) can craft a compelling film without a giant budget or special effects.

One person found this helpful

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Robert Hayes

A mature and moving look at the effects of divorce

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2015

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Marriage is certainly an important societal institution, but it doesn't work out for everyone. KRAMER VS. KRAMER is a heartfelt film that explores the effect that divorce has on those involved, and the difficult choices that come along with it. The film starts off by introducing all of the principal characters. The mother, Joanna (Meryl Streep) is putting her child (Justin Henry) to bed, and Ted (Dustin Hoffman) is having a late-night talk with a co-worker. By the time he gets home, Joanna says she's leaving him and the plot is set up. What follows is a long series of scenes which show how Ted has to adjust to being a single parent, and culminates in a courtroom battle as Joanna, after a long period, fights for custody of her son. What I feel like the film does well is not paint everything as black or white. Ted isn't portrayed as a wholly perfect father, yet Joanna isn't portrayed as a villain. I will say, however, that not as much screen time is allotted to Meryl Streep so that her character's motivations come off as a bit selfish at first. Still, the meat of the story is in how her decision to leave affects her husband and child, and there was certainly a lot to process. There were plenty of ups and downs and the film is able to effectively show how the father's relationship with his son matures and develops over time. The performances were also top-notch, even from the child actor portraying the son. This is a very emotional film at times, and every such moment felt real and believable. You actually care what happens to these people. Overall, while certain surface aspects date this film a little bit, the emotional core is very strong and the performances only make things that much better.

8 people found this helpful

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When the Kramer’s Square Off

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2015

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These days, we think nothing of what one might call untraditional families, but in 1979 Kramer vs. Kramer was really quite groundbreaking in depiction of an unconventional family. Dustin Hoffman stars as a hard driving New York advertising executive, who in pursuit of the job loses his grip on his family as his wife files for divorce, compelling him to deal with being a single father. Things get more complex when the female Kramer returns and sues for custody.

It’s a really moving portrait as the idealized image of the Leave it to Beaver family is challenged by this new family dynamic that had not been depicted in such a way at that time. Kramer vs. Kramer really speaks to the broader question of just what or perhaps who can be considered a family? This is a question that many people in this country struggle with today.

In conclusion, Kramer vs. Kramer is a conversation starter.

3 people found this helpful

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Top international reviews

Amazon Customer

A Divorce Or Not A Divorce ?.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2017

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Mum ( Meryl Streep ) decides to walk out on husband Dustin Hoffman. The problem is they have a young son. Hoffman tries his very best to keep his job. Meryl Streep plays a very good do I really want to be a mother, do I really want to be in this relationship, who the devil am I really ?. She goes away and comes back watching her husband dropping of their young son at school every day. But he is unaware of this. Quite tense and gripping at times. Especially when they meet up in the restaurant. This scene is highly charged. Eventually she wants to see her son. Even going through the divorce courts as well. Did they actually get back together or not ?. This is where I find the ending rather strange. The ending is well. no ending at all. Very odd I thought. Or maybe I was missing the point. Very good to watch, although the ending if you can call it that should have been planned better. PC. 14. 12. 2017.

2 people found this helpful

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Thespionic

A Reasonable Watch but a Little Dated Now?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2015

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This is yet another film that as a young man passed me by first time around. A film about a ‘custody battle’ was not really my kind of thing in my twenties? So, some 35 years later I decided to catch up with it.
It does look a little dated now – as one would expect. – the clothes, the décor etc. Today of course a custody battle is hardly news. The film is not long at 105 minutes and the finale in some ways leaves you guessing as to what may eventually transpire – which is always a nice way to leave a film?
Any ‘tug of love’ film is always going to be a bit mushy and full of sentimentality. But whilst it’s certainly present here, it’s not overly done as to bring on the sick bag at regular intervals! Both main protagonists do a fine job, as do the rest of the cast. An 'AA' nomination for the child - Justin Henry, was quite ridiculous - he was good but not outstandingly good.
The film won 5 AA’s, as well turning an $8 million budget into a gross taking of $65 million. I found it a reasonable film to watch considering that the content these days is rather run of the mill and hardly anything out of the ordinary? I’m glad that I’ve covered it but it won’t stay on the memory for too long.

2 people found this helpful

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Ryan

What a terrific acting movie

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 6, 2019

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I consider myself lucky that I got to view a wonderful movie with two marvellous actors. I would recommend this for a lot of people, because I think most can relate in some way. There are funny, sad, happy, and relieving moments that are carried away terrifically by these great actors. It's a good movie and deserves more credit.

9/10

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M. Lines

Great film, great upgrade.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2010

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Kramer vs. Kramer has shown itself to have a lasting impact and quality that a lot of films don't possess. The nature of it's topic is still relevant today, and it makes for good viewing every time. I highly and heartily recommend it.

As for the upgrade to Blu-ray, it's quite impressive. The soundtrack is a little more fresh, but it's the difference in video quality that'll suck you in. The DVD version is completely watchable, but this print is absolutely pristine. There isn't a scratch or flicker in it, and it has the 'right amount' of grain for a film of it's age; it's kept the atmosphere that a lot of recent films lack. The film's mostly pale palette appears to have found a new life.

You'll notice the difference.

12 people found this helpful

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Miss Donna Martin

Wrong Item delivered .

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2018

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I ordered a DVD . Kramer vs Kramer & received a Backpack Cover wtf ?? Which was reflective & Waterproof . Needless to say it's going back . What the hell would I want with one of those . I wouldn't care I was looking forward on watching it .

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Debbie Freakley

Favourite

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2020

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One of my favourite films replaced the video version of it

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Saif T. Al Najim

Good to watch

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2020

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Very nice film and clear picture

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Bookworm1953

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2018

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Still heart-rending after 40-odd years!

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Beaky

a good story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2018

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I thought this wpuld be an account of a bitter divorce war. It turned out to be full of humanity - a nice story.

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Biographer

Get out the Kleenex!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2014

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Hoffman and Streep are magnificent, of course, but you can't take your eyes off the Kramer's son, played by Justin Henry, for long. The DVD has a feature on the making of the film that explains how Justin is cleverly directed to appear as a most accomplished actor.

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MovieManDan

Finally !

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2017

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Brilliant multiple Oscar winning picture finally released on UK Blu-ray in the fantastic Sony classics range.

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David C.

Excellent service

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2018

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Excellent

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D.W.H

oh son

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2014

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as his mom and dad split up his father tries to keep in work and just as they are getting used to it the mother starts appearing close to home and take the father to court for custody of their son,telling to more would ruin it,great for allthe family,well recommended

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Sad but good

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2018

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Great film

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archangelgabriela

Heartwrenching

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2013

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What a fabulous film. Hoffman and Streep's performances were so convincing they were actually a real live couple fighting for their son. And the little boy was amazing. My heart ached for all of them. You'd have to have a heart of granite not to be moved by this one. Truly brilliant.

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