Kramer vs. Kramer - Camille Bates

Kramer vs. Kramer:

 Camille Bates

In the beginning of the movie, Ted Kramer is portrayed as a workaholic. He comes home at late hours, works all day and night, and leaves his wife, Joanna, at home to take care of their son, Billy. We can't help but feel a bit angry at him as he fails to understand why Joanna is so upset when she walks out the door with luggage in her hands and tears in her eyes. But the next day, Ted seems to be going crazy from the stress created by the sudden separation. He holds it in for the sake of his son, but overall fails as his morning collapses and the halved french toast burns in the frying pan. When Ted is first separated, he feels frazzled and lost, unsure of the situation he is suddenly put in. He eventually takes some time to calm down and figure out why this happened and what to do next.

Ted begins to realize his mistakes when he is left to take care of Billy, who is usually in the care of Joanna. Since he is always away from home, he isn't used to the daily routine of taking care of his son, waking him up, getting him to and from school, feeding him, and spending family time with him. We can see him take his stress out on Billy in several situations. Ted often tries to just keep Billy under control so that he can work like usual, and often ends up getting angry or yelling at him when he needs attention or messes something up. As time goes on, he realizes that he is the only one that Billy has now, and starts to be better towards him. He realizes that Billy is lost and confused by the situation, and this is the time when he needs his father the most.


Ted should get definitely custody of his son instead of Joanna. Over the course of the movie, Ted has more time to spend with his son and forms a better connection with him as a father.