Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

Director:

Robert Benton

Writers:

Avery Corman (novel)
Robert Benton (written by)

Release Date:

19 December 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

There are three sides to this love story!

Plot:

A just divorced man must learn to care for his son on his own, and then must fight in court to keep custody of him.

Plot Keywords:

Frustration | Workaholic | Friendship | Hospital | Ice Cream

Awards:

Won 5 Oscars. Another 31 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

Dustin Hoffman	...	Ted Kramer
Meryl Streep	...	Joanna Kramer
Jane Alexander	...	Margaret Phelps
Justin Henry	...	Billy Kramer
Howard Duff	...	John Shaunessy
George Coe	...	Jim O'Connor
JoBeth Williams	...	Phyllis Bernard (as Jobeth Williams)
Bill Moor	...	Gressen
Howland Chamberlain	...	Judge Atkins
Jack Ramage	...	Spencer
Jess Osuna	...	Ackerman
Nicholas Hormann	...	Interviewer
Ellen Parker	...	Teacher
Shelby Brammer	...	Ted's Secretary
Carol Nadell	...	Mrs. Kline

Also Known As:

Kramer Versus Kramer (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Indonesia:Dewasa | UK:PG (video rating) | Sweden:11 | Netherlands:AL | South Korea:15 (DVD rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:PG | Chile:18 | Finland:S | Norway:12 (1980) | Singapore:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:16 | Canada:G (Québec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures

Trivia:

Meryl Streep was originally cast in the role of Ted's one-night-stand, eventually played by JoBeth Williams. When Kate Jackson was contractually unable to accept the role of Joanna, it was offered to Streep.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Ted gets mad at Billy for eating ice cream instead of dinner, he carries him from the kitchen into the living room and the spoon in Billy's hand disappears.

Quotes:

[Ted is having lunch with his boss]
Ted Kramer: So the other morning, I'm at the refrigerator... you know, getting Billy ready for school. So I'm just in my underwear and he notices I've lost weight. And he comes in and pats me. He comes up to here
[touches his stomach]
Ted Kramer: , and he says "Daddy, you've really lost a lot of weight", he looks up at me and he says "And it's all gone to your nose."
[laughs]
Ted Kramer: He was so cute. You know?

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Family Guy: 8 Simple Rules for Buying My Teenage Daughter (#4.8)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Sonata for Trumpet and String 2. Adagio 3. Presto The Gordian Knot Untied 3. Rondo Minuet

An example of the type of film I love.

Kramer Vs. Kramer stars two of my favorite thespians: Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman. At first glance, the plot looks to be very mundane. But, it's quite brilliant in that it studies the ordinary, every-day things in life such as talking to your child with great introspection and depth. It really, really makes you think and I personally believe this is the mark of a great film. If it lends a vicariousness, leaves you spellbound - it has done its job nobly.