Benedito Dias Rodrigues l watched the first part of this movie in 1987 and turn off the TV after around 30 minutes...too much talking,in fact drama wasn't my favorite kind of movie at all...but now as collector l must to have this movie in my racks So l decided to watch it one more time and today the movie sounds me really fantastic...this kind of drama is always a heavy matters to put on screen mainly when the woman left the house having the kid behind,when the remorse mother appear asking the kid back the case end up in a court house a powerful drama indeed,however l think that Apocalypse Now is more superior than Kramer vs. Kramer and deserved won the Oscar but who cares...the movie is really good but l find it overrated even Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep having a great performance.

Kingslaay Kramer vs Kramer is definitely one for the ages. It is story of a workaholic husband (Dustin Hoffman) who is left carrying the 'baby' or his young son after his mother (Meryl Streep) leaves the home. She is unhappy with her life and seeks something else. We see a troubled and frustrated Hoffman try to take care of his son and be on top of a demanding job. The realism and ease which this is conveyed is effortless. Throughout the story we see the son and his father clash only to make up and become closer. Hoffman also befriends a female family friend in the building showing his growth. When we see Hoffman and Billy wake up and make breakfast together in silence we observe a great routine this family has developed. No talking is needed because it has become their way of life that the two easily carry out, watching this you will assume this has always been the state of affairs. Touching moments that resonate with the audience are when Hoffman teaches his son to ride a bike or takes him to his play and helps young Billy remember his lines. When Hoffman is fired and about hit another hurdle he is able to quickly secure another job in his field and shows off his office to his son. The bond between father and son is emotional but not overtly emotional which really works in the films favor as appealing to all audiences. He has been able to fulfill both roles as father and provider, he has made it work. The bond is threatened to be broken when the estranged mother returns and seeks custody of Billy. During the trial period one morning Billy looks up at his father, appreciative. When the two embrace and Billy starts crying no words are needed in the scene as it speaks volumes, a perfect scene. You can see both sides at the end. You are supportive and rally behind the heroic father who has managed to build a happy and balanced life for his son while holding down a decent job, he made it work. Yet you are also sympathetic towards the mother, who while she was selfish she may have been dealing with many issues. The film purposely left out these details to make you wonder and not make an objective assessment. So when it comes to the trial it may be difficult to completely decide which parent Billy should be with. Hence is the power and beautiful film making of Kramer vs Kramer because the audience can try and reach their own verdict which may not be so easy.The brilliance of this film also lies in its simplicity and the simple way the the story is told to its audience. You are easily taken on a journey, you understand it, you believe it and most importantly you feel it. The acting is first class. Dustin Hoffman is brilliant in his portrayal and very worthy of his Best Actor Oscar. Billy and Streep also give very good performances. The music also deserves praise, not only is it consistent it is quite beautiful. Kramer vs Kramer won 5 Oscars, including best film and director. I believe 7.8 is far too low for this simple and yet perfectly executed film. It definitely deserves a spot in the top 250 films as it is truly a classic and definitely one for the ages. 9.5/10

estebangonzalez10 "Mommy stayed here longer than she wanted because she loves you so much. And the reason why Mommy couldn't stay anymore... was because she couldn't stand me. She didn't leave because of you. She left because of me."Robert Benton's third feature film, Kramer vs. Kramer, still stands out as his best. This 1979 family drama which explores interpersonal relationships and the effect divorce has on the family, remains very relevant in today's society. It is one of those rare classics that has managed to age very well due to its universal theme. In order for an authentic drama like this to work you need a strong script and believable actors. Kramer vs. Kramer has both, Robert Benson did an amazing job with the screenplay adaptation of Avery Corman's novel and the dialogue in the film feels authentic while avoiding any false notes. And of course you couldn't have had anyone better than Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep to play the divorced couple. Hoffman was already at the height of his career, while Streep was just getting started proving she's always been an out of this world actress. Both actors won their first Academy Awards for this film, and it wouldn't be their last. But in a film like this no matter how good the adult characters are, you need to have a child who can win over the sympathy of the audience and engage them emotionally. Benton made a huge gamble when he hired inexperienced Justin Henry for the role, but it payed off marvelously. At only 8 years old Henry was nominated for his supporting role. The scenes he shares with Hoffman are endearing and the relationship between the two is the center of the film. It was the subtle moments that the two shared together that stuck with me the most, like the scene where the kid challenges his father's authority by eating the ice cream. These were improvised scenes, but they added to the authenticity of the film. That relationship between both of them is key, as we witness the transition and evolution of Hoffman's character.The film opens with a shot of Joanna Kramer (Meryl Streep) packing her clothes in a suitcase while she waits for her husband, Ted (Dustin Hoffman) to return home from work so that she can break the news to him that she is leaving him. Apparently she has been unhappy for quite some time now and she wants to discover who she is. Despite being heartbroken about having to abandon her young son, Billy (Justin Henry), she is convinced she has to go. Ted, who hasn't the slightest clue about housekeeping, must now learn to manage his work while taking care of his son. During the early scenes we see what an inexperienced father he is, he can't prepare breakfast for Billy without burning everything. But as the movie progresses we begin to see the transformation that Ted goes through and what a caring father he becomes. His career does begin to suffer and he begins struggling to keep his job, but he has learned to put his son's life before his own. With the help of his friendly neighbor, Margaret (Jane Alexander), he becomes an expert at parenting, but that is around the time that Joanna returns back to the city and tells Ted she wants to take her son with him. A court battle for their son's custody ensues as neither parent refuses to live without their son. The film builds a great father and son dynamic during most of its runtime and that is what makes the courtroom drama so compelling near the end because the stakes have been settled. I don't think this film would've won the Oscar for Best Picture if it weren't for those intense scenes during the trial. The testimony each parent gives is compelling and the performances in those scenes were superb, but I actually enjoyed the quieter and more subtle moments in this film. The scenes were Hoffman is sharing some time at the park with his son or simply reading a story to him. Those were the moments that made this film ring true and authentic. I think that the film could've ended on a stronger note if it decided to have ended some five minutes before it actually did because it ties things up too neatly at the end. The final kitchen scene would've been the perfect moment to end it, but I won't complain too much because the film is compelling and the performances had me engaged from the very opening scene. Kramer vs. Kramer still resonates with audiences today and it is a great example of how to make a compelling family drama about the effect that divorce has on the family. I enjoyed every minute of it. http://estebueno10.blogspot.com/

grantss Great, emotional movie. A powerful exploration of the causes and effects of divorce, and the controversial subject of child custody. Maybe not entirely balanced in its examination - very little is seen of Mrs Kramer (Meryl Streep) - and the ending is a bit trite and Hollywoodish. Superb performances. Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep deserved their Oscars. Good support from Jane Alexander and Justin Henry (who, at 8 years old, became the youngest ever Oscar nominee).However, didn't deserve the 1980 Best Picture or Best Director. Those should have gone to Apocalypse Now and Francis Ford Coppola, respectively.