I was genuinely surprised by how much emotional depth this one had. Kramer vs. Kramer is a movie I’ve been familiar with for years, but I didn’t really know the story. A quick look at Wikipedia revealed it's categorized as a "legal drama," which makes sense considering the title. Because of that, I was anticipating a lengthy courtroom showdown, so I was taken aback when it didn't appear until roughly the last half-hour. The film is primarily focused on a father and son and their reactions to what happens in their lives. The filmmakers really succeeded in making me invested in the characters portrayed by Dustin Hoffman (Ted) and Justin Henry (Billy). Even Meryl Streep’s Joanna resonated with me, although I would have appreciated more development for her character; particularly because the ending feels fairly foreseeable, and some extra scenes exploring her perspective would have been welcome. It's not a significant issue, though, as everything necessary is shown. Hoffman delivers an excellent performance, and so does young Henry. Streep also gives a solid portrayal, as do Jane Alexander and Howard Duff in smaller roles. Everyone involved deserves recognition. It’s unfortunate to learn about the off-screen events that occurred during filming involving Hoffman and Streep, though thankfully those issues were resolved. Ultimately, and this shouldn't be shocking considering my rating and all the praise this 1979 film has received over the years, I would absolutely suggest watching it.

Source on TMDB