Day 20: Kramer vs Kramer

Robert Benton, 1979

Armature: It takes courage to walk out on your husband and son. (To be fair I didn't figure this one out for myself, I learned it from Brian McDonald.)

7 Steps:
1. Once upon a time, Ted Kramer was a hard-working businessman who had a wife and a son.
2. And every day he worked long hours at his job, while his wife Joanna took care of their son Billy.
3. Until one day, Joanna leaves Ted and Billy.
4. Because of this Ted learns how to be a dependable parent for Billy.
5. Because of this Joanna returns and wins a custody trial to take Billy back.
6. Until finally, Joanna understands what she really wants and lets Ted keep Billy.
7. And ever since that day, Ted and Billy have lived together happily in New York, along with all the other families out there.

This screenplay really moved me. Its story is really simple, but it tells some incredible emotional truths. I am a young adult, who doesn't plan on becoming a parent for a long awhile. But this script made me understand what parenting and divorce are like. And it made me feel what it's like to love a child. The fact that this screenplay could make me feel that is incredible.

Some of the camerawork is pretty well done, too. My favorite is the final shot, which has Ted and Billy running through a park, happy to be alive. And then the camera pulls back and you see all the other parents and children at the park. I think what this shot is saying is we are all the same. Then the film ends, with that impression of humanity.

That's why this film movies me! That's it. It teaches about humanity. It accurately and honestly portrays humanity, and doesn't sugarcoat anything.

I am also really touched by the character of Joanna. Both Ted and Joanna are the characters of change in this script, even though Ted is portrayed more as the protagonist. Joanna feels the weight of marriage and motherhood on her shoulders, and she digs down deep inside her and finally comes to the conclusion that she doesn't want it, even though it hurts her to admit it. I am astounded by the maturity in her, to be able to see that in herself. Even though she ultimately did not end up with her child, I feel like the viewer can learn more about life from Joanna than from Ted.

Ending thoughts: my god, this was freaking good.