One Scene Specifically Gives 'Kramer vs. Kramer' Its Heart
Now this is a moment in cinematic history
While I have been going back and forth with folks concerning The Graduate (read that here) and how I didn't like it and how seemingly everyone else did, I am willing to admit the final scene I referenced in that article is a worthy piece of cinematic history. However, I think I have found one that tops it, but probably won't cause as much conversation since I am going to speak well of the film and the scene. Enjoying something never incites conversation as much as shitting all over someone's favorite films.
The movie is Kramer vs. Kramer and I have been meaning to check it out ever since I interviewed director Todd Phillips way back in 2006. He told me it was the one film that makes him cry in my series of 10 questions. Any time I hear a man willing to admit a certain film makes him cry I always want to check it out and while the tears didn't flow I couldn't pass up the moment to point out a scene I am sure to remember forever.
In the film Dustin Hoffman plays Ted, an ad exec who just received a promotion and control over a major account at his firm. He heads home only to be told by his wife (Meryl Streep) that she is leaving him and their son. She walks out the door and Ted is left with a 6-year-old son and a very demanding job.
The next day he goes into work and tells his boss (George Coe) the situation and, suffice to say, he is a bit concerned. He tells him how he needs to be able to count on him 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. It is here that Hoffman earns his Best Actor Oscar.
Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Ted first gets aggressive saying, "First of all you can count on me 25 hours a day, and you can count on me eight days a week."
His boss looks on, listening to every word as he continues, "Because I'm not a loser Jim, you know that, and I have never let anything at home come into the office. You've asked me to unload on you and that takes place right here in this office. When I go outside I'm on top of it and I want you to know that.
"I'm a survivor. Okay?"
He is making his point. He is standing strong, but one moment of weakness makes the scene and made the film for me.
Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Ted continues saying, "You're giving me a shot here, and I'm not — I'm not going to let anything blow it." It's that pause that you see above, in a split second Hoffman goes from the man in charge you want to head up your top account to a moment of frailty. Look at his face, getting that screen capture wasn't very easy considering how quick it is. I actually didn't even catch the perfect furrow of his brow. It's a look that tears at the audience.
Ted gains his composure and finishes it up by saying, "Okay?"
Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Look at Jim's face, I don't think he thinks things are okay.
It is no surprise Kramer vs. Kramer ended up winning five Oscars and was nominated for nine of them. Along with Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep won for Supporting Actress, writer/director Robert Benton won for screenplay and director and the film itself won Best Picture. If you haven't seen it I certainly recommend giving it a watch. While the ending is a bit cliché it is still a worthy entry into the Cinematic Revival series here at RopeofSilicon.com.
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