"KRAMER VS. KRAMER" is one of those rare films that won five major awards the year it was released, "and" actually deserved them all!  Thankfully, COLUMBIA TRISTAR has finally  released this gem on dvd.

Dustin Hoffman gives what, next to "RAINMAN", may be his best performance so far as Ted Kramer. What makes the performance so spectacular is Hoffman's ability to put so much of himself into the role. Ted Kramer has all of the characteristics, annoyances, and likeable qualities of Hoffman himself. He's never looked more natural in a part.

The story focuses on a hard-working father/husband, who one day finds his wife has simply walked out on him, leaving their child in his care.  He has no emotional support from anyone, even his sister. Just some of the great dialogue revolves around his relationship with his sister and the pseudo-altruistic goals of feminism to the extreme.  When he shares his devastation with his sister, she tells him, "Believe it or not Teddy, it took a lot of courage for her to do what she just did!"  He calmly replies, "Tell me, how much courage did it take to walk out on her son!"  The film brilliantly demonstrates the universal horror of divorce, no matter which parent initiates the proceeding!  Most of the film follows Ted's struggle to cope with being a single parent "and" keeping a career, "and" fighting to keep custody of his child, when the mother "decides" she's better along two years later to take custody herself!

It's not really a courtroom drama, but the court scenes are just as dramatic and intense as in any film since "WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION".

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has provided a sharp transfer for this release. The original 1.85:1 aspect ratio is intact with 16:9 enhancement.  The color values are solid and fleshtones are perfectly rendered.  There is some minor grain in spots, but none too distracting. Contrast is fine, although the level of black/gray differentiation could be better in darker scenes.

The Dolby Digital 2.0 mono is unremarkable. Except for the magnificent score, this is a pure "dialogue-driven" film.  The words and images are enough to captivate the audience from beginning to end.

A magnificent documentary, "FINDING THE TRUTH:THE MAKING OF KRAMER VS. KRAMER" is included here.  It's a long documentary, and it's never dull or with filler!  The principals of the film are all here, lending their insight about the subject matter as well as the production and development of the film itself.  The quality to the image here is also excellent!