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Kramer vs. Kramer

  • 19791979
  • PGPG
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
141K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,953
471
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Justin Henry in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
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.
Play trailer1:31
4 Videos
96 Photos
Drama

After his wife leaves him, a work-obsessed Manhattan advertising executive is forced to learn long-neglected parenting skills, but a heated custody battle over the couple's young son deepens... Read allAfter his wife leaves him, a work-obsessed Manhattan advertising executive is forced to learn long-neglected parenting skills, but a heated custody battle over the couple's young son deepens the wounds left by the separation.After his wife leaves him, a work-obsessed Manhattan advertising executive is forced to learn long-neglected parenting skills, but a heated custody battle over the couple's young son deepens the wounds left by the separation.

IMDb RATING
7.8/10
141K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,953
471
  • Director
    • Robert Benton
  • Writers
    • Avery Corman(from the novel by)
    • Robert Benton(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Meryl Streep
    • Jane Alexander
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Benton
  • Writers
    • Avery Corman(from the novel by)
    • Robert Benton(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Meryl Streep
    • Jane Alexander
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 258User reviews
    • 95Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 5 Oscars
      • 39 wins & 25 nominations total

    Videos4

    Kramer Vs. Kramer -- Trailer
    Trailer 1:31
    Kramer Vs. Kramer -- Trailer
    Shailene Woodley's Acting Philosophy and Her Movie-a-Day Plan
    Full Episode 7:02
    Shailene Woodley's Acting Philosophy and Her Movie-a-Day Plan
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 7
    Video 27:32
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 7
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 14
    Video 29:38
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 14

    Photos96

    Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Justin Henry in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Justin Henry in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Justin Henry in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Dustin Hoffman, Robert Benton, and Stanley R. Jaffe in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Justin Henry in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Dustin Hoffman and Jane Alexander in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Dustin Hoffman and Justin Henry in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Meryl Streep and Howard Duff in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Meryl Streep in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
    Meryl Streep and Justin Henry in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dustin Hoffman
    Dustin Hoffman
    • Ted Krameras Ted Kramer
    Meryl Streep
    Meryl Streep
    • Joanna Krameras Joanna Kramer
    Jane Alexander
    Jane Alexander
    • Margaret Phelpsas Margaret Phelps
    Justin Henry
    Justin Henry
    • Billy Krameras Billy Kramer
    Howard Duff
    Howard Duff
    • John Shaunessyas John Shaunessy
    George Coe
    George Coe
    • Jim O'Connoras Jim O'Connor
    JoBeth Williams
    JoBeth Williams
    • Phyllis Bernardas Phyllis Bernard
    • (as Jobeth Williams)
    Bill Moor
    • Gressenas Gressen
    Howland Chamberlain
    Howland Chamberlain
    • Judge Atkinsas Judge Atkins
    Jack Ramage
    • Spenceras Spencer
    Jess Osuna
    Jess Osuna
    • Ackermanas Ackerman
    Nicholas Hormann
    Nicholas Hormann
    • Intervieweras Interviewer
    Ellen Parker
    • Teacheras Teacher
    Shelby Brammer
    • Ted's Secretaryas Ted's Secretary
    Carol Nadell
    • Mrs. Klineas Mrs. Kline
    Donald Gantry
    • Surgeonas Surgeon
    Judith Calder
    • Receptionistas Receptionist
    Peter Lownds
    • Normanas Norman
    • Director
      • Robert Benton
    • Writers
      • Avery Corman(from the novel by)
      • Robert Benton(written for the screen by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Leon Wolters <wolters@strw.LeidenUniv.nl>
    marriagedivorceblood on facerepetition in titleinjured child142 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • There are three sides to this love story!
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Dustin Hoffman planned the moment when he throws his wine glass against the wall during the restaurant scene with Meryl Streep. The only person he warned in advance was the cameraman, to make sure that it got in the shot. Streep's shocked reaction was real, but she stayed in character long enough for writer and director Robert Benton to yell cut. In the documentary on the DVD, she recalls yelling at Hoffman as soon as the shot was over for scaring her so badly.
    • Goofs
      The trees are green in scenes which supposedly take place in New York at Halloween and Christmas.
    • Quotes

      Billy Kramer: Daddy?

      Ted Kramer: Yeah?

      Billy Kramer: I'm sorry.

      Ted Kramer: I'm sorry too. I want you to go to sleep because it's really late.

      Billy Kramer: Daddy?

      Ted Kramer: Now what is it?

      Billy Kramer: Are you going away?

      Ted Kramer: No. I'm staying here with you. You can't get rid of me that easy.

      Billy Kramer: That's why Mommy left, isn't it? Because I was bad?

      Ted Kramer: Is that what you think? No. That's not it, Billy. Your mom loves you very much... and the reason she left has nothing to do with you. I don't know if this will make sense, but I'll try to explain it to you. I think the reason why Mommy left... was because for a long time... I kept trying to make her be a certain kind of person. A certain kind of wife that I thought she was supposed to be. And she just wasn't like that. She was... She just wasn't like that. I think that she tried for so long to make me happy... and when she couldn't, she tried to talk to me about it. But I wasn't listening. I was too busy, too wrapped up... just thinking about myself. And I thought that anytime I was happy, she was happy. But I think underneath she was very sad. 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. Go to sleep now because it's really late, okay? Good night. Sleep tight.

      Billy Kramer: Don't let the bedbugs bite.

      Ted Kramer: See you in the morning light.

      Billy Kramer: Daddy?

      Ted Kramer: Yeah?

      Billy Kramer: I love you.

      Ted Kramer: I love you too.

    • Alternate versions
      When aired on commercial TV, the shots of Phyllis naked, and her unexpected interaction with Billy, are darkened completely. Most commercial prints also omit the sound of Billy urinating.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Take 2: Love Stories (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Sonata for Trumpet and Strings: 2. Adagio 3. Presto
      Henry Purcell
      Adapted by John Kander
      Conducted by Paul Gemignani

    User reviews258

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Dustin Hoffman rocks & gets rocked in 1970's NYC Ad World
    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.
    helpful•8
    1
    • ebcarrier
    • Sep 17, 2007

    FAQ2

    • Is 'Kramer vs. Kramer' based on a book?
    • How does the movie end?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kramer Versus Kramer
    • Filming locations
      • Tweed Courthouse - 52 Chambers Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Stanley Jaffe Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $8,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $106,260,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $106,260,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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