651. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

Running Time: 105 minutes

Directed By: Robert Benton

Written By: Robert Benton, from novel by Avery Corman

Main Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Justin Henry, Jane Alexander

ON MY JOURNEY I MET A MAN NAMED 'DUSTIN'

Coincidentally I had french toast for breakfast this morning and in no way did that influence my decision to watch "Kramer vs. Kramer". Ever since I saw this movie many years ago, it has been a personal favorite of mine. It was the movie that really made me realize what a fantastic actor Dustin Hoffman was and it's a movie that can always draw tears from my eyes and usually in a different scene every time.

When Ted Kramer (Hoffman) arrives home from work one evening with the great news that he's been named top man on the new account at work, he soon realizes that more important things are happening and not good things either. Joanna Kramer's bags are packed and she is leaving Ted. She gives him the old "It's not you, it's me" routine, steps into the elevator and out of his life. At first Ted thinks that it's just a little phase she's going through and sooner or later she'll be back through the door of their New York City apartment and ready to step back into her role as wife to him and mother to their seven-year old son Billy. But as the weeks and months tick away, Ted must face the fact that Joanna isn't returning and that he must now step up to be a real father, instead of just the guy who "brings home the bacon". At first it's rocky, as Ted really doesn't know how to bring up a child, or do any of the things necessary in bringing up a child. In fact the morning after Joanna departs the residence, Ted has a rough time just rustling up some breakfast for the youngster and turns a scene in which he tries to make french toast into a classic.

Ted does his best at juggling fatherhood and his work, which he vows to give his all at and be available 25 hours a day and eight days a week. But soon his life is brought into perspective and he soon goes from telling stories about buying burberry coats to telling cute stories about Billy and the most important part of his life is no longer the big account, but rather his son's Halloween play at school. A bond is formed, characters develop and over the course of the film, we really learn to adore the relationship that Ted and Billy share. But soon the title of the movie rears it's head and Kramer really does face off with Kramer, in court, as Joanna returns to reveal that she has found herself, realized her identity and now wants custody of Billy.

I'll say it again, this has always been a personal favorite of mine. Recently my brother watched this movie and declared that it's a movie that you don't want to end. I agree with that statement, but to me, it's really the bond of Ted and Billy that you don't want to end. When Joanna returns and says that she wants custody of Billy you really hate her for that and, for a second, she becomes the most hated villain in movie history for trying to put an end to a relationship that we've just invested this entire movie creating. What fantastic performances from the principle actors too, especially in the courtroom scenes where they really let the emotion flow out. Dustin Hoffman is one of the great actors and has been a favorite of mine for a long time. He really knows how to play the situations, whether to play them nonchalant or to really lay it on thick and let his emotions run rampant. I guess the ultimate lesson to be learned from "Kramer vs. Kramer" is that no matter what situations you're thrown into, you'll eventually learn to make a routine out of it and you'll adapt to whatever life throws at you, even though it may take a while and at first you may not want to.

RATING: 10/10 There was no question as to whether or not this one would garner a '10', there is nothing bad being put on display here.

MOVIES WATCHED: 135

MOVIES LEFT TO WATCH: 866

September 5, 2010 3:03pm