CriticSociety- film reviews

Review

Kramer vs. Kramer

Director

Robert Benton

Year

1979

Rating

Reviewed by

Gon C Curiel a.k.a. Groucho

Review date

Thursday, March 30, 2006

As Ted Kramer’s (Dustin Hoffman) wife Joanna (Meryl Streep) leaves him at the end of what could have become one of the “five best days of his life,” his world and the world of cinema are shaken. This event naturally sets off a huge gap in the life of these characters; we focus on Ted, who’s confused, angry and terrified. The next morning he wants to act like nothing happened—he’s a survivor, he says—but he has no idea how to deal with his little son Billy (Justin Henry) the way his wife would. Preparing breakfast is a disaster. Everything goes wrong. He’s not ready, and Billy knows it. French toast becomes a symbol of indescribable fear. This is only the first example among many the film has to offer that little moments in life, often unnoticed, are in fact the most significant.

The film is full of moments like this, and it’s, in itself, a slice of life. There might not be violence, crime, near-death experiences, nervous breakdowns or life threats; instead, a regular grocery shopping, a fall from a jungle jim, a debate over ice cream, and a bicycle riding lesson are landmarks, milestones in the movie and in these people’s lives, events that affect and move the viewers like few hurricanes could, and a perfect way to craft a story like this.

In fact, Robert Benton’s adaptation of Avery Corman’s novel is one of the most exquisite and precise screenplays I have ever seen filmed. He truly follows that classic screenwriting rule of “show, don’t tell”, and makes most events quiet, letting actions speak for themselves, and it works like wonders. There’s not one move or word out of place, it all seems neat and tight and perfect, and everything from the performances to the staging to Néstor Almendros’ photography to the use of Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto in C Major for Mandolin and Strings seems a perfect piece of a grand jigsaw puzzle that we have the pleasure to see come together and the bliss of appreciating it when finished.

But the real treat of the story is that it recognizes that life is full of contrasting elements, from funny ones to tragic ones on a daily basis. There are many scenes that allow the viewer to laugh, but since the overall mood is dramatic, those tidbits come as relief and make the audience love the film. Sounds simple, and so it feels, but I’m pretty sure it isn’t.

Though Kramer vs. Kramer’s very title refers to the divorce case, the pivotal relationship is that of father and son. Hoffman and Henry do an outstanding job and appear absolutely natural in their roles, and their interaction works to perfection, whether they’re fighting or having a great time; a real work of art. Ted Kramer being our hero, all his relationships are important one way or another, especially the one to neighbor Margaret (Jane Alexander), who has her own issues with divorce. Meryl Streep’s showcase remains one of her most intense and unforgettable.

“Kramer, I just met your son.”

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