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.

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.

Dustin Hoffman's character had the greatest transformation in his movie starting as a detached spouse and parent who willl work "8 days a week / 25 hrs a day" and changes to an engaged parent willing to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to be here for his son. So I think of this as more as a love story between father and son rather than a custody battle. Meryl Streep's character decides to leave her spouse and surprisingly, does not take her son with her, and doesn't re-emerge for another 15 mths. Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep and Justin Henry all gave flawless performances.

I think the custody decision is realistic even today. The ending is touching.

A wonderful, beautifully acted film about the meanings of love,
friendship, and above all parenthood. This is the film where Robert
Benton's complex humanism really comes to full flower.

In a situation that almost demands taking sides - a sudden divorce
leading to an unprepared father taking over childcare only to be
challenged for custody when the mother returns 18 months later - Benton
manages to make everyone a complex human being, with strengths and
weaknesses, trying their best to do the right thing in a painful, messy
situation.

Hoffman, who has been brilliant so many times playing characters far
from himself is perhaps the most moving he's ever been playing a
character that director Benton described as really, honestly playing
himself - perhaps the hardest character of all. Streep takes a woman
who could have easily come off as the villain of the piece, and makes
you understand her actions - - even abandoning her little boy. Jane
Alexander is wonderful and subtle as the slowly developing friend
Hoffman makes as a single father, and young Justin Henry is utterly
real in a way few child actors are as the 7 year old stuck in the
middle. It's also beautifully, if understatedly shot by Nestor
Almendros.

It's flaws are minor. Some of the supporting roles, while played by
terrific character actors, are a bit more one note and characturish
than they need be. And some of the courtroom theatrics feel just a tiny
bit... well, theatrical. Also, there's a logic point that's always bugged
me - why doesn't Hoffman - doing quite well on Madison Avenue, hire a
part-time housekeeper or nanny to help him from becoming terminally
overloaded by the combination of career and single parenthood? Last
family politics have changed enough in 31 years that no longer would
the climactic court fight stack up quite the same way - it's no longer
a rarity for a man to want custody of his children - but that's not a
flaw in the film, just a welcome reminder that some things do get
better.

And none of the above are enough to detract from the fact that this is
storytelling and acting of the highest order.

The blu-ray, while not a dramatic leap from the fine DVD, is still
a worthwhile upgrade. The additional richness and texture in
both the image and the sound gives the film an even greater
sense of immediacy.

Meryl's first Oscar, and she actually gets overshadowed by Dustin Hoffman (who also won an Oscar) People often ask me what's the big deal about the Academy Awards? In large part they get it right and this year the Best Picture Kramer VS Kramer was right on the money. Its like an after school special but only 100 times more in depth than that. It feels real, gut wrenching, and sappy all the same time-its a great film.