Kramer Vs Kramer
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KRAMER VS. KRAMER
KRAMER VS. KRAMER is a film everyone should see. I watched it for the first time and I was amazed at how relevant it still is (film was made in 1979). A film more than just about divorce, its a story about a man who falls in love with his son. He realizes that their relationship is the most important thing in his life. By finding joy in fatherhood, he becomes more than just the family provider. Watching this movie made me confront my feelings. It made me feel.
Having grown up in a blessedly unbroken home, I have no personal experience with warring parents or custody battles, but the emotions reflected in the movie seem genuine. Divorce is awful. When children are involved its even worse. According to the numbers, more than half of all marriages now end in divorce, yet there are few films that deal with it. Too grim and depressing, I guess. Any parents thinking of divorce should be court-ordered to watch “Kramer vs. Kramer.” After seeing it, if there is even a dim chance of reconciliation, theyll take it, rather than inflict their separation upon their children. Thats how powerful this movie is.
The movie is powerful because first we see the building of a relationship that sprouts out of a bad one. Then we see the manipulation tactics used in the court; Dustin Hoffman cant get his true feelings out because of the prosecutor. Then we see the tear jerking ending, which is kind of predictable, but I will not spoil.
The film opens with Ted (Hoffman) landing the major ad account hes been working to close for months. When he arrives home, hes so excited about the news he doesnt notice his wife Joanna (Streep) has a bag packed and ready by the door. She interrupts him, crushing his celebration with news of her own; her personality shows very good in this situation. Shes leaving him. This is the first indication that shes unhappy in the marriage. Of course, hes never home to hear her. So, dealing with their problems like a rational adult, she storms out, leaving their son, Billy (Justin Henry), behind.
Their marriage destroyed her identity, leaving her no other option, other than suicide, to end her pain. Ted goes ballistic. How could she ruin the best day of his life? She cant walk out now, when everything is finally coming together. Not only is she leaving, shes not taking their son Billy (Henry) with her. Ted will just have to deal with it. Joanna identity management as a strategic communication occurs in presence of spontaneous behavior.
Hoffman and Henry (6 years old boy) are wonderful together as two guys trying to deal with a life without their wife and mother. Their relationship (interpersonal communication) is the keystone of the film and one that you will make you weep with envy. He spends all night trying to finish a presentation and worrying about his future. What he doesnt think about is how hes going to juggle his job and his new responsibility – being a full-time parent. Their first father/son breakfast is pretty much a disaster – Ted doesnt do things the way “Mommy” does – but things eventually smooth out once it becomes clear to both man and child that