Film Review #1

FILM ASSIGNMENT 1

Kramer vs . Kramer

1 . Describe the setting or context of the film . In what locale and period of time does it occur ? Are there striking social conditions (war , the depression , industrial revolution , prohibition , etc ) that impact the story

The movie Kramer vs . Kramer ' was released in 1979 . The setting of the movie is 1970s New York (Papke , 1996 . The pervading atmosphere of the 1970s was feminism , and it greatly influenced the film . The 1970s ushered the development of feminism , but it has existed many years prior to that

( Then and Now ' n .d . The Equal Pay Act was enacted in 1970 this law upholds that both men and women should acquire the same salary for the same work ( Then and Now ' n .d . Then in 1971 , Ruskin College became the venue for the very first National Women 's Liberation Conference ( Then and Now ' n .d . That event was a monumental step for feminism , and it gave way to more improvements in the lives of women . The Sex Discrimination Act became a law in 1975 this act prohibits workplace discrimination based on sex or marital status ( Then and Now ' n .d . In addition , the Domestic Violence Act also became a law in 1976 ( Then and Now ' n .d . The passing of these acts were an accomplishment for women , and it clearly modified the ways in which women can participate in society

The atmosphere of feminism influenced the movie through the character of Joanna Kramer , who was excellently portrayed by Meryl Streep . Joanna used to work for the magazine Mademoiselle , but she gave up her career to care for her son Billy (Papke , 1996 . Thus , the film begins with Joanna assuming the traditional role of what women should be : a housewife whose main purpose is to take care of the family . However she soon leaves her child and her overworked husband Ted , played by Dustin Hoffman . She returns sometime after , but this time she has a high paying job and now wants child custody (Bozzola , n .d

The movie shows its reference to feminism through the shift in traditional roles . The movie begins with Joanna as a housewife and mother , while Ted is the breadwinner . The shift occurs with Joanna 's departure , as Ted is forced by circumstance to take care of his son The breadwinner suddenly became in charge of the family . Meanwhile Joanna resumes her professional life . Hence , the movie implies that women can move beyond roles that society assigns to them , which feminism definitely supports

How does the film reflect social class , racial or gender issues

According to David Ray Papke (1996 , the movie offered a powerful cinematic commentary on gender (p . 119 . This commentary begins with the title . The title itself delineates the polarity between the genders (Papke 1996 . The movie is entitled Kramer vs . Kramer ' as if to say man vs woman . Thus , the title itself reflects the gender issue because it implies a conflict between man and woman

The Kramers are white and...