Kramer vs. Kramer

I thought this was very beautiful. Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep star as Ted and Joanna Kramer, a formally married couple who ends up suffering after Joanna one day walks out on Ted and their son Billy, played by Justin Henry. With basically no advanced warning, Ted is forced to both maintain the role of advertising executive working extenuating hours and involved father who has full responsibility over Billy now. The film follows Billy and Ted's relationship, an initially rocky start (as shown by the first French toast scene) as Billy wanted Joanna dearly. Over time, they become used to each other's new roles in their lives and become closer than ever, until 1.5 years later Joanna appears seeking to regain custody of Billy. The result is an intense courtroom scene in which Ted and Joanna are both put on the scene- Ted for having a hot temper and being occasionally negligent, both in work and when Billy falls at the playground one day and needing stitches, and Joanna primarily for essentially abandoning her family for 18 months. In the end, even though Joanna wins back custody, she realizes she cannot take Billy out of the only home he's known and recognizes that Ted has really stepped up to the plate since she left. For a 1979 film, it is pretty revolutionary in questioning the gender dynamics of parenthood- can we see past the father as the person who has to work and be removed? Can we see the mother as being able to not only exist but thrive and be happy outside the home? While the narrative is certainly in Ted's favor, as we see his perspective entirely and definitely not as much as Joanna's, Streep gives a very sympathetic performance and we can definitely see from Joanna's side. She is now a working woman who is established and recognized her past wrongs completely and whose son clearly misses her. The performances are just great. Hoffman gives a very rootable performance- Ted is just very determined to make things right both in work and at home, and even when he is justified at being mad at Joanna he always commends her in front of Billy, even as they are about to be separated. As said before, Streep really makes you feel for Joanna and having us imagine what it is like trying to return to your son's life. Henry gives a fantastic performance, so emotional heartbreaking and probably the best child performance I've seen- the second French toast scene as Billy and Ted are preparing to say goodbye to their old lives is so sad. Jane Alexander is also great as Margie, Ted's neighbor and Joanna's (former) best friend, providing a lot of support for Ted in raising Billy and putting her former biases against him to the side. Overall, I really enjoyed it. It's just very well done across the board and captivates you.