Kramer versus Kramer

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Movie
German title Kramer versus Kramer
Original title Kramer vs. Chandler
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1979
length 100 minutes
Age rating FSK 6
Rod
Director Robert Benton
script Robert Benton
Avery Corman (novel)
production Stanley R. Jaffe
camera Néstor Almendros
cut Gerald B. Greenberg
occupation

Kramer versus Kramer is an American drama from 1979. The literary film adaptation, directed by Robert Benton , is based on the 1977 novel Kramer vs. Kramer by Avery Corman .

content

The advertising salesman Ted Kramer, married and father of a five-year-old son, works for a renowned New York advertising agency and is undisputedly one of the best in his job. His boss has just entrusted him with the biggest project to date with the announcement that Ted would become vice president of the agency. This does not make his work any less, but he is absorbed in his job and says that his wife is happy with him.

When he comes home that evening, his wife Joanna is completely unexpectedly with a packed suitcase in the shared apartment. She is in a deep identity crisis and feels overwhelmed with her role as wife and mother. She suffers from the fact that Ted has had little time for her in recent years. Although she loves their child Billy dearly, she leaves Billy and Ted alone. Upon leaving, she confesses to Ted that she no longer loves him. Since she feels like a failure in her mother role, she says it would be best for Billy if she left him too.

Ted now has to prove himself beyond his time-consuming career as a single father. After initial conflicts with his initially somewhat stubborn son, they both get together and master the difficult situation for both of them. Ted's father role is at the expense of his career. His boss soon realizes that Ted can no longer do one hundred percent in the advertising agency. Although he is friendly to Ted, his understanding of Ted's difficult situation quickly comes to an end.

Joanna returns to a psychotherapy in California back to New York to following the filed divorce the custody gain for the past seven years Billy. Ted is fired by his boss shortly after and two days before Christmas and learns from his lawyer that without a permanent job he has no prospect of maintaining custody. Determined to fight for custody, Ted manages to get a new job within 24 hours - albeit at the price that the new job means a career decline.

Joanna and Ted argue bitterly about custody in the family case "Kramer versus Kramer". Still emotionally connected, both are shocked by the rude methods of their lawyers when Ted and Joanna are questioned by them on the witness stand . Eventually, Joanna wins the custody case. Ted is devastated, but catches up again. Ted refuses to appeal the case because, according to the attorney, the child would have to be called to the witness stand.

When Joanna reports on the intercom system at the agreed handover date, she asks Ted to come down to the foyer alone . There she tearfully tells him that she realized that morning that Billy already has a home. Since she loves him, she decided not to take him with her. A load of grief for Ted. He hugs Joanna and suggests that she go up to the apartment alone and tell Billy in private. In the elevator, she asks him, a little disturbed, what she looks like, whereupon he replies "Simply fabulous" before the elevator door closes.

background

Meryl Streep wrote Joanna's speech in court herself, which gave her the feeling of defending herself and putting all of her strength into the argument.

criticism

The film service writes: Dense and nuanced staged, in the representation of the position of women, however, too little differentiated. A film that can stimulate discussion of the social context.

Awards

Academy Awards 1980
Golden Globe Awards 1980

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Jürgen Kritz: I consider myself a staunch feminist. Interview with Meryl Streep . In: tip . No. 5/80 , May 1980, film, p. 34 f .
  2. ^ Kramer versus Kramer. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .Template: LdiF / Maintenance / Access used