Winner '79:
First Saw It:		 Kramer vs. Kramer
In 1991 or 1992, on VHS
Bridesmaids: All That Jazz, Apocalypse Now, Breaking Away, Norma Rae
My Vote: Apocalypse Now, without a second to reconsider
Overlooked: The China Syndrome, Alien, and if you're crazy, The Brood


Kramer vs. Kramer
First screened in 1991 or 1992 / Most recently screened in March 2006
Director: Robert Benton. Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Justin Henry, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander, George Coe, Howard Duff, Bill Moor, JoBeth Williams, Howland Chamberlain. Screenplay: Robert Benton (based on the novel by Avery Corman).

 Twitter Capsule: Well acted, and well lensed within its conservative stylistic bounds. Hard to get euphoric, but I do admire it.

VOR: ④  Aesthetic modesty vs. careful execution. Dated domestic ideologies vs. remarkable durability, and provocative ripples in its own moment. Televisual, but not. Familiar, but not.


Photo © 1979 Columbia Pictures

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B

Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
★Best Picture
★Best Director: Robert Benton
★Best Actor: Dustin Hoffman
Best Supporting Actress: Jane Alexander
★Best Supporting Actress: Meryl Streep
Best Supporting Actor: Justin Henry
★Best Adapted Screenplay: Robert Benton
Best Cinematography: Néstor Almendros
Best Film Editing: Gerald B. Greenberg

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
★Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director: Robert Benton
★Best Actor (Drama): Dustin Hoffman
Best Supporting Actress: Jane Alexander
★Best Supporting Actress: Meryl Streep
Best Supporting Actor: Justin Henry
★Best Screenplay: Robert Benton
New Star of the Year (Male): Justin Henry

Other Awards:
Directors Guild of America: Best Director
Writers Guild of America: Best Adapted Screenplay (Drama)
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture; Best Actor (Hoffman); Best Supporting Actress (Streep; also cited for The Seduction of Joe Tynan)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Picture; Best Director; Best Actor (Hoffman); Best Supporting Actress (Streep; also cited for Manhattan and The Seduction of Joe Tynan); Best Screenplay
National Society of Film Critics: Best Director (tie); Best Actor (Hoffman; also cited for Agatha); Best Supporting Actress (Streep; also cited for Manhattan and The Seduction of Joe Tynan)
National Board of Review: Best Supporting Actress (Streep; also cited for Manhattan and The Seduction of Joe Tynan)
Permalink Home 1979 ABC Blog E-Mail