Kramer vs Kramer Reviews

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moving tale

A career oriented man tries and becomes involved in the upbringing of his son without his wife who walked out.

She, who searched for a meaning in life away from domesticity, realises that she cant be away from her son and fights it out in the court with her ex-husband.

The court decides in favour of the mother.

The child had to suffer the seperation from his mother first and now the threat of the same with his father looms large.

Subdued acting and silent pauses which are pregnant with meaning.

You simply become a part of the proceedings.

26 years now, this film has not become redundant.

The way in which the lawyers twist the tale to benefit their profession, insensitive to the estranged couple's private affairs, is brought out well in the court room drama.

While she refers him as ex-husband, for him she is still his wife.

The scene in which Dustin Hoffman gets his new job amidst the hustle bustle of Christmas was well executed.

The climax is poignant

Realism with the sound turned down

Unlike many Method-trained actors, Dustin Hoffman does not show it off. The quiet, complicated truthfulness with which he portrayed Ted Kramer (the career-high art director forced to bring up his son Billy alone when his wife Joanna (Meryl Streep) walks out) is very rare. His performance does not indulge in over-sympathetic sentimentality, and is the more moving for it. Custody battles are heart-breaking because, although the couple are no longer husband and wife, in the eyes of their child they are still, and will always be, mum and dad - the very bond the court is employed to break. Kramer vs Kramer acknowledges this - that life is more complicated than our bureaucratic systems would like to make it. Great film.

Why don't we make films like this anymore!

An amazing film, which is streaks ahead of anything that we are making at the present. As Meryl Streep said in the extras, this is a film that wouldn't get done now as it is a detailed account of the human condition. I have seen this film about 7 times and it constantly engages and moves me. As an acting lesson it is incredible and never allows itself to fall into melodramatic cliche by drawing neat conclusions.

Quality Drama - Dull Experience

Having noted Kramer vs. Kramer?s Oscar success and being a Meryl Streep fan, maybe I was expecting too much from this film.

It is humanists? tail detailing the impact of a sadly common situation in our society; family break up. It does have real qualities; skillfully acted exposing the emotions that pour from the three lead roles. The combination of Dustin, Meryls' and their on-screen sons' skill in telling such a human tail does leave you emotionally connected with the characters and their situation. Especially when it is one that nearly all of us can identify with in some way.

As brilliant a piece of human drama it may be, I found the whole experience a bit dull. The directing didn't seem to play any part in emphasisng the drama, nor did the music or anything else for that matter. There was nothing beyond the quality acting and the script to draw you in and the story - despite the intricacies of the characters - is a simple one.

Now I appreciate this may sound like the perfect film to many people and I too love well scripted well acted movies with stories you can I identify with, but Kramer vs. Kramer somehow felt a bit too dry. It left me feeling like I was scientist watching through a one way mirror to examine the subject of Dustin Hoffmans? families? behavior. It?s an elegant ?Big Brother? (The reality TV show).

It is a very cold, static almost purist examination of human nature, worth watching for the acting alone but it ultimately left me feeling somewhat numbed by the whole experience.

The ultimate tear-jerker

Well, if you've got kids, this will make you want to stay married! Just ignore the outdated costume dept and get wrapped up in the emotion.

It’s just really, really very good.

Classics Never Fail To Please

Imagine watching a film set in the 70's your normal instinct will be to assume that this story is out of date, out of touch, out of vogue. Kramer vs Kramer suceeds in making this emotional storyline relevant to a modern audience.

Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep are outstanding considering that this is one of their earlier roles. Hoffman in particular captures the troubles of divorce and the frustation of custody. It is a classic, do not be afraid to rent it.

I loved this film.

Been catching up on my Dustin Hoffman films and he keeps on getting better. What a fantastic heart warming film. I hate child actors but the kid in this is fantastic they work beautifully together.

If you have not seen this check it out!

Very Touching Film

This was a really nice movie, the story was simple but very moving. The acting was excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to reccomend it.

Well worth watching!

This is a really good film! Although it was made in 1979 it doesn't seem to date - with brilliant performances from all of the cast. Worth watching!

Enjoyable

Well acted and scripted drama.

Avoids the usual sugary sentimentality of most American films in this genre.