Dustin Hoffman portrays Ted Kramer a successful workaholic advertising executive who is very much surprised by his wife divorcing him, and leaving him to take care of their son by himself. The first scene is brilliantly portrayed by both Hoffman and Meryl Streep. Hoffman's reaction is perfect in his at first disbelief of the situation, than his realization, and than quick attempt at reconciliation. Both actors are perfectly attuned to each other showing the couples history in just this one scene, showing their relationship, and clearly giving a vivid idea of it before we came in on it.
After this strong opening scene the film portrays Ted attempting to deal with his job, and raising his son at the same time. Hoffman gives and interesting and realistic performance as we follow him through his new life as a single father. Hoffman very good because he does not show this as easy at all for Kramer, and also he shows that he is not at all a perfect father. The relationship between Kramer and his son (Justin Henry) is brilliantly handled by both actors. Both actors show a natural real relationship between father and son, that is not at all perfect.
Their relationship changes and grows and both actors show their gradual change incredibly well. From their first moments together where they fight with one another, these scenes are incredibly well handled by Hoffman and Henry because they handle the realistically fight, but afterward are both incredibly authentic in their apologies. Their relationship grows and Hoffman and Henry show a realistic and very authentic father and son relationship which contains a whole lot of authentic heart, that does not seem at all forced but instead is completely natural and very effective. There relationship growth and change is perfectly handled, and their relationship makes the ending moments of the film all the more effective.
Their relationship is challenged though when Kramer's ex-wife returns and wants custody of their son herself. Hoffman is perfect in showing Kramer's passionate want to keep his son, and his anger at his ex-wife. Hoffman is incredible strong in the courtroom sequences. From his incredible strong and perfectly attuned reactions to first Streep's testimony sequence, but Hoffman is heartbreaking in his own testimony scene. Also very good is his final talk with Justin Henry which really shows how far their relationship and has come, and how strong the actors are in their roles. Overall Hoffman's performance is a strong, realistic, and very authentic one.
