kramer vs. kramer be the story of a marital breakup and the consequence of same . they can be devastate to the partner and even more so to a minor child which in this case be play by justin henry . what i really do like about kramer vs. kramer and it great strength a a film be the way that parent dustin hoffman and meryl streep be present to the audience a whole people with many side to their nature . though the film be slant in hoffman direction and more about his relationship with his son and he not present a any kind of saint and nor be streep a completely black villain . hoffman a career orient man in the advertising game . he pretty much ignore his wife dream and aspiration and still it a big shock to him when streep say the love no longer there and she want out . she also want out of be a mother and at least for a while . hoffman and henry make do the best they can . the pressure of be both parent cause hoffman to lose his job and he have to take a low pay one in another agency . at that point after over a year and streep decides she want custody . both parent make compelling witness and state their case beautifully and but in these situation and the tie be always break in favor of the mother . dustin hoffman and meryl streep win their first of two oscar respectively for this film and her in the support actress category . i be not sure how these thing be decide and streep do get less screen time than hoffman if that the determine factor . the film do focus on hoffman relationship with his son and his evolve realization that he have his share of the blame for the marriage failure . a for meryl it a hob choice for her a it be for many woman and to balance a career and motherhood . the conflict in her psyche register for all to see on the screen . dustin hoffman may have win that oscar partly for the same reason that spencer tracy pick up his first and by perform the impossible task of not let a scene steal child steal the film . child with their lack of inhibition be natural actor and henry be great because he come over a a real kid and not a hollywood kid . i wonder if hoffman saw captain courageous and saw how spencer tracy dealt with freddie bartholomew . dustin could have do a lot bad than channel spencer tracy in his performance . kramer vs. kramer also win oscar for best picture and best director for robert benton and best adapt screenplay . it an intelligent and compelling drama about adult fall out of love and try to deal a best they can with it for themselves and their child . don not miss it if ever broadcast .