Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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) | |
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Bill Moor | ... | Gressen |
Howland Chamberlain | ... | Judge Atkins | |
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Jack Ramage | ... | Spencer |
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Jess Osuna | ... | Ackerman |
Nicholas Hormann | ... | Interviewer | |
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Ellen Parker | ... | Teacher |
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Shelby Brammer | ... | Ted's Secretary |
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Carol Nadell | ... | Mrs. Kline |
Ted Kramer is a career man for whom his work comes before his family. His wife Joanna cannot take this anymore, so she decides to leave him. Ted is now faced with the tasks of housekeeping and taking care of himself and their young son Billy. When he has learned to adjust his life to these new responsibilities, Joanna resurfaces and wants Billy back. Ted, however, refuses to give him up, so they go to court to fight for the custody of their son. Written by Leon Wolters <wolters@strw.LeidenUniv.nl>
This is probably the best cinematic depiction of life in a Manhattan ad agency: the pressure to perform; client and agency demands; the parties; the creativity; the money; the cool surface with powerful corporate undercurrents.
Toss in parenthood for Dustin Hoffman.
The movie is textured and deep. It follows his internal relationship as he tries to understand and live with what's going on; his relationship with Meryl Streep (and her friend, who becomes his friend), and his the relationship with his son.
While Meryl Streep was great, did she set the record for least screen time to win an Oscar? She sure can deliver when she is on, though.