Do you want to see ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’?

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 34
Fresh: 30 | Rotten: 4

The divorce subject isn't as shocking, but the film is still a thoughtful, well-acted drama that resists the urge to take sides or give easy answers.

Average Rating: 7.4/10
Critic Reviews: 6
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 1

The divorce subject isn't as shocking, but the film is still a thoughtful, well-acted drama that resists the urge to take sides or give easy answers.

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 38,958

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Movie Info

Robert Benton's Oscar-winning adaptation of Avery Corman's bestseller takes on contemporary problems of divorce and shifting gender roles, as a jilted husband learns how to be a nurturing father. Manhattan housewife Joanna Kramer (Meryl Streep) walks out on her workaholic ad man husband Ted (Dustin Hoffman), leaving their young son Billy (Justin Henry) in Ted's less than capable hands. Through trial and error, Ted learns how to take care of Billy, devoting more energy to his family than to his

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.

Drama

Directed By: Robert Benton

Written By: Robert Benton

In Theaters: Dec 19, 1979 Wide

On DVD: Aug 28, 2001

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Kramer vs. Kramer Trailer & Photos

Cast

Dustin Hoffman
Ted Kramer
Meryl Streep
Joanna Kramer
Justin Henry
Billy Kramer
Jane Alexander
Margaret Phelps
Howard Duff
John Shaunessy
JoBeth Williams
Phyllis Bernard
George Coe
Jim O'Connor
Bill Moor
Gressen
Howland Chamberlain
Judge Atkins
Jack Ramage
Spencer
Jess Osuna
Ackerman
Nicholas Hormann
Interviewer
Ellen Parker
Teacher
Joe Seneca
Partygoer
David Gilbert
Shelby Brammer
Ted's Secretary
David Golden
Grocer

Critic Reviews for Kramer vs. Kramer

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (4) | DVD (13)

Benton gives his film its depth and complexity by challenging the audience's preconceptions and snap opinions at every turn.

February 24, 2010 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine

| Comment

Frank Rich

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

Kramer vs. Kramer is definitely a movie to watch together -- your kids may well seek shelter under your arm, glad to know their own families enjoy more peace.

February 2, 2007 Full Review Source: Denver Post

| Comment

Michael Booth

Denver Post

Top Critic

Misogynistic claptrap.

December 13, 2006 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comments (5)

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

The sociological merits of Benton's family melodrama exceed its artitsic ones: The film reflected the confusion of many professional women who wanted to establish their identities independent of their roles as wives-mothers.

July 25, 2006 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

Variety

Top Critic

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

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment (1)

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

[A] fine, witty, moving, most intelligent adaptation of Avery Corman's best-selling novel.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

Everything is handled with grace and compassion.

February 14, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

it remains one of the most compelling films of the decade, even if time has tarnished a bit of its sheen.

November 14, 2008 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Don Willmott

Filmcritic.com

Oscar-dominating 1970s weepie that is just waiting to be rediscovered.

February 20, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Film4

Hugely popular on its initial release, this looks, in retrospect, like nothing much more than a glossy soap passed off as serious drama.

February 20, 2008 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

| Comment (1)

Empire Magazine

This excellent struggle of a dad to keep his son by his side is a pure classic, with Hoffman at his best.

July 13, 2007 Comment

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Film Threat

Another in a long list of those overrated Oscar winners for Best Picture.

February 26, 2007 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comments (4)

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A movie that makes you think about the relevance of the thought that only mother's make great single-parent adults.

December 13, 2006 Full Review Source: Oscar Guy

| Comment

Wesley Lovell

Oscar Guy

It's the old wash, but so well done that we can overlook Benton's manipulations of our emotions and let our feelings flow.

December 4, 2006 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

Set up to make Hoffman seem like the good guy, and it's so confident that we'll root for him that it gets sloppy.

October 7, 2006 Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies

| Comments (2)

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies Source: Goatdog's Movies

A high class modern weepie.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Kramer vs. Kramer

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A great drama film! Great performances and really good writing. Hoffman is excellent and Meryl Streep is stunning! Winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. I can't recommend this one enough.

December 7, 2010

Jameson Worley

Super Reviewer

Great drama film that will have the tears flowing toward the end. As one of the other reviewers said, it's very realistic (my parents divorced when I was 8, and I chose to live w/my dad, so I can relate to an extent), which is its strong point. Everything about it works, but I must say that 1979 must have been a slow

October 23, 2011

Jason Owens

Super Reviewer

Kramer vs. Kramer Quotes

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1. Joanna Kramer: I want my son!
2. Ted Kramer: You can't have him.
– Submitted by Matheus C (9 months ago)
1. Billy Kramer: I hate you!
2. Ted Kramer: And I hate you back, you little shit!
– Submitted by Neptune F (10 months ago)

Character	Quote
	Enter quote here...	Delete

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