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) | |
![]() |
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 |
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>
On the one hand Joanna is a fascinating character-an enigma, full of pain and repressed desires. Yet at the same time I can't help but wonder if the film, by leaving her to the bookends, reduced her to the mere emotional and irrational woman trope, saved at the end by the easily redeemed (it is admittedly a poignant journey through parenthood) formerly absent husband and father. This issue aside, it's certainly clear at least that each and every individual scene is written and acted marvelously.