Robert Benton's moving and well-observed adaptation of Avery Corman's novel about the aftermath of divorce stars Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep as the separating couple, Ted and Joanna Kramer. When dutiful wife and mother Joanna decides to leave Ted, an advertising executive, she also leaves him with the responsibility of caring for their young son, Billy (Justin Henry). The situation proves to be especially difficult since the workaholic father has never really taken care of the boy and, in truth, barely knows him. Things are rough at first, but as the two become accustomed to life without Joanna and Ted's caretaking skills improve, father and son finally develop a relationship. As Ted devotes more time to his son and less to his work, however, the latter suffers, and Ted's subsequent firing coincides with the return of Joanna, who wants her son back.
Despite the titular framing of a custody trial, KRAMER VS. KRAMER steps lightly around the complex issue, essentially concerning itself with the father's discovery of the joys and travails of being a parent. Hoffman and Streep turn in exceptional Academy Award-winning performances, and Benton crafts a memorable exploration of parenthood by wisely focusing on the tiny dramas of everyday life--such as the classic, heartbreaking scene in which Ted, on his first morning as a single father, tries (and miserably fails) to make french toast for his son--to capture the essence of a precious relationship.
A selfish New York advertising executive is left to take care of his young son when his wife leaves him in this poignant adaptation of Avery Corman's novel.
The Columbia TriStar special edition video #80743 is part of a limited edition Academy Awards sell through package that comes with a free copy of "Oscar's Greatest Moments," a classic collection of some of the most memorable moments from Oscar telecasts.
JoBeth Williams and Justin Henry made their screen debuts with "Kramer vs. Kramer."
A Stanley Jaffe production.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Letterbox - 1.85
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono - English
Dolby Digital Mono - French
Additional Release Material:
Featurette: FINDING THE TRUTH: THE MAKING OF KRAMER VS. KRAMER
Trailers: Theatrical
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection
Text/Photo Galleries:
Filmographies
Production Notes
Cinematographer
Nestor Almendros: Director Of Photography/International
Production Designer
Paul Sylbert: Art Director/Screenwriter
Review 1:
"...Fine, witty, moving, most intelligent....Hoffman is splendid..."
Source: New York Times
p.C23 12/19/1979
Review 2:
Included in the New York Times's "10 BEST FILMS OF 1979"
Source: New York Times
p.II:1 12/30/1979
Review 3:
"...Dustin Hoffman is perfectly cast..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.64 03/01/2002
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