Kramer vs. Kramer facts for kids
Kramer vs. Kramer is a famous American drama movie from 1979. It tells the story of a family facing big changes. The movie was written and directed by Robert Benton. It is based on a novel by Avery Corman. The main actors are Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep. They play a married couple, Ted and Joanna Kramer, who live in New York City.
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What is Kramer vs. Kramer About?
The story begins when Joanna Kramer decides to leave her husband, Ted, and their young son, Billy. Ted, who has been very focused on his career, suddenly has to learn how to be a full-time parent. This is a big challenge for him and Billy. They have to adjust to a new way of life together.
After some time, Ted and Joanna get a divorce. About fifteen months later, Joanna decides she wants to be a bigger part of Billy's life again. She asks for custody of Billy. This means they have to go to court to decide who Billy will live with. The movie shows the struggles and emotions of both parents and how this difficult situation affects their son.
Main Characters in the Movie
- Ted Kramer (played by Dustin Hoffman): Ted is a busy advertising executive. He learns to balance his work with taking care of Billy.
- Joanna Kramer (played by Meryl Streep): Joanna is Ted's wife and Billy's mother. She leaves to find herself and later seeks custody of her son.
- Billy Kramer (played by Justin Henry): Billy is the young son caught in the middle of his parents' divorce.
Making the Movie
The movie Kramer vs. Kramer was directed by Robert Benton. He also wrote the script, which was based on a book by Avery Corman. The film explores important themes like family, parenting, and how people deal with big life changes. It was made by Columbia Pictures.
Why is Kramer vs. Kramer Important?
Kramer vs. Kramer was a very successful and important movie. Many people praised it for showing the difficult topic of divorce and child custody in a realistic way. It helped people understand the challenges that families can face.
Awards and Recognition
The movie won many major awards. It received five Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars. These included:
- Best Picture: This is the top award for a movie.
- Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman: He won for his role as Ted Kramer.
- Best Supporting Actress for Meryl Streep: She won for her role as Joanna Kramer.
- Best Director for Robert Benton.
- Best Adapted Screenplay for Robert Benton: This award is for the best script based on a book.
It also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Picture. These awards show how much critics and audiences appreciated the film's story and performances.
