Review of Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) by Rex S — 15 May 2009
Most modern viewers expect fancy special effects, big budgets, spellbinding scores, evil villains, and even more heroic heroes in their ideal film. "Kramer vs. Kramer" has none of those things.
And I wouldn't have it any other way. For it is that which makes this such a great film. There is nothing fake about it. What you are seeing on the screen is raw, human emotion -- nothing else, false or dramatized.
The film's central characters are in a custody battle over their little boy, Billy. They are Ted and Joanna -- the Kramers. And what makes the already moving take on humanity even greater is the film's refusal to take sides.
We as an audience can completely see where each party is coming from -- we feel Ted's anger for remaining loyal to his duty as a parent, yet we feel Joanna's disdain for being ignored and put second behind her husband's goals.
We are nearly impartial. "Kramer vs. Kramer" encourages us to not take sides, feel the characters' feelings, think the characters' thoughts. And that is what makes it so magnificent.
This review of Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) was written by Rex S on 15 May 2009.
Kramer vs. Kramer has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
