Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Justin Henry

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.

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85% liked it

34,025 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

33 critics

PG, 105 min.

Directed by: Robert Benton

Release Date: December 19, 1979

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DVD Release Date: August 28, 2001

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Stats: 1,566 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,566)


  • September 25, 2009
    Great film, Hoffman at his best. Streep is annoying but I think that's more to do with the character more than anything. That said, I can't help but feel her ongoing Oscar nominations are a little questionable!
  • September 24, 2009
    Ted Kramer: Margaret, I just need to know something. Did you put Joanna up to this?
    Margaret Phelps: No, I did not put Joanna up to this.
    Ted Kramer: Give her a little pep talk, maybe?
    Margaret Phelps: Joanna is a very unhappy woman and it took a lot of courage to walk out ...( read more)this door.
    Ted Kramer: How much courage does it take to walk out on your kid?

    Within this greatly acted movie that has a very real story involving a just divorced man dealing with being both a workaholic and a loving father to his 7 year old child, there are two scenes towards the beginning and the end that involve French toast. A film that can have an emotional impact on me based on the contrasting elements involved in these two scenes that features French toast as the subject, means that the film has delivered.

    Dustin Hoffman plays Ted Kramer, a workaholic, who's wife Joanna, played by Meryl Streep has just left him and his son Billy, because she was unhappy. The marriage may have lasted for a number of years, but Joanna has essentially had enough and leaves Ted completely unprepared.

    Ted was about to feel much better about his life due to landing a major account for his ad company, but he must now deal with both work and being a very attentive father. The relationship between Ted and Billy takes up the majority of the story until the last act, where the film turns into a courtroom drama involving a vicious custody battle between Ted and Joanna for Billy.

    Dustin Hoffman once again shows me how great of an actor he is. I have seen him play all sorts of roles and this one is fairly straightforward compared to some of his more eccentric characters and yet, I completely believe him as this man. Everything feels right with Hoffman as Ted. The rest of the cast is wonderful as well. Streep, who had a busy year here in addition to filming Deer Hunter and Manhattan, is excellent in a supporting role that could seem one not, but isn't. Jane Alexander is very good as a neighbor for Ted to relate with. And young Justin Henry as Billy is well equipped to keep up with Hoffman.

    Set in New York, the film looks great, with a few particular scenes that convey the fact that some careful cinematography was planned out for this film, so not to just settle the film as a standard cliche drama.

    There can be more to say about this film, such as how carefully it treads on the fact that a stance could have been taken, yet it isn't, but the thing I'll emphasize most is that Hoffman is great in this movie, and everything around him works just as well.

    Ted Kramer: How was school today?
    Billy Kramer: Same as usual.
    Ted Kramer: Hey, I see the Knicks finally won a game, what do you know?
    Billy Kramer: I don't care.
    Ted Kramer: What do you mean?
    Billy Kramer: I like Boston.
    Ted Kramer: Boston? Why do you like Boston?
    Billy Kramer: 'Cause Mommy's from Boston.
  • September 6, 2008
    A great drama film as a split couple fight for custody of their child. Great performances all round.
  • July 13, 2008
    Such a well known film and yet my first viewing of it and I really enjoyed it.

    My first thought was that women everywhere have been bringing up children and balancing work etc for years and years and along comes a man that does it and bam, a big film, however - I feel this fil...( read more)ms highlights how difficult life is for a single parent regardless of their gender.
  • June 21, 2008
    Phenomenal and triumphant movie! I'm usually not this corny, but this movie prompts me to think that way.
  • November 22, 2009
    Dustin Hoffman plays a workaholic in the advertising industry. He finally lands a big account and goes home to tell his wife who tells him she's leaving him and their son. Over the next 18 months, Hoffman becomes a pretty good father and the mother is nowhere to be seen until one...( read more) day she returns and decides she wants custody of their son.

    The film stars Dustin Hoffman as the father. For his performance, Hoffman won an Academy Award for best actor in a leading role. The mother is played by Meryl Streep who won an Oscar for best supporting actress. The son is played by Justin Henry. While he did not win an Oscar for best supporting actor, Henry remains the youngest person ever to be nominated for an Academy Award.

    This film was rather well received. In addition to the aforementioned awards, the film won Academy Awards for best picture, best director, and best adapted screenplay. Personally, I found this film rather enjoyable. It is one of the earlier films to challenge the notions that a mother is automatically a better parent than a father.

    88/100
    B+
  • November 21, 2009
    streep is definitely out-shining in a supporting role
  • November 20, 2009
    Oh, this movie will leave you depressed.
  • November 7, 2009
    An awesome drama. It's not an original idea but still they made something different and interesting. Outstanding performances ofcourse.
  • November 4, 2009
    everything's perfect, now i can see why this film beats apocalypse now in oscar.,
    this is real film, with real characters, real things, real decisions, and real feelings., i really adore this movie..

Critic Reviews


October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Kramer vs. Kramer wouldn't be half as good as it is -- half as intriguing and absorbing -- if the movie had taken sides. full review

View more Kramer vs. Kramer reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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Kramer vs. Kramer Trivia


  • Which actress has starred in all of the following:- - The Deer Hunter - Kramer vs. Kramer - Out of Africa - Silkwood - The Hours  Answer »
  • Which Actor/Actress were fighting over their son in the film Kramer v's Kramer?  Answer »
  • Academy winners included: Sally Field(Norma Rae),Kramer vs Kramer, director Robert Benton, Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep. Other films were Coal Miner's Daughter,Popeye,The Shining,Raging Bull, The Empire Strikes Back,Airplane. The year was_   Answer »
  • Which Actress or Actor has been in these movies? Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Death becomes her, The Deer Hunter and Kramer vs Kramer!  Answer »

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