Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep might’ve given us Oscar-worthy performances in Kramer vs. Kramer, however issues have been removed from picture-perfect behind the scenes. Hoffman took his function a bit of too severely, a lot in order that he allegedly berated Streep, threw a glass at her, and even slapped her throughout an unscripted second.
In keeping with Erin Carlson’s guide Queen Meryl, the difficulty began early. On solely the second day of filming, Hoffman slapped Streep throughout a scene the place Joanna (Streep) leaves her husband, Ted (Hoffman). Streep later recalled, “He slammed me within the face,” leaving purple finger marks on her cheek (reported by CheatSheet). Director Robert Benton was reportedly shocked, however the scene continued. Streep, regardless of her anger, didn’t let it derail her efficiency.
That wasn’t the one time Dustin Hoffman’s technique performing went too far. In the course of the pivotal restaurant scene, the place Joanna advised Ted she was searching for custody of their son, Meryl Streep advised altering the dialogue order. She believed Joanna’s emotional confession ought to come earlier than her custody demand, making the second extra layered. Benton agreed, however Hoffman was furious.
“I lastly yelled at her,” Hoffman admitted. “‘Meryl, why don’t you cease carrying the flag for feminism and simply act the scene!’” His frustration boiled over, and he hurled a glass of wine in opposition to the wall. That wasn’t within the script. Streep, now livid, snapped again, “I’ve obtained items of glass in my hair!”
Regardless of the strain, Kramer vs. Kramer received 5 Academy Awards, together with Finest Image, Finest Actor for Dustin Hoffman, and Finest Supporting Actress for Meryl Streep. However the controversy across the movie didn’t fade. Many critics have argued that the film paints Joanna because the villain whereas sympathizing with Ted, reinforcing an anti-feminist narrative.
Streep, nevertheless, fought to humanize Joanna, even transforming dialogue to present her depth past the script’s authentic framing. Trying again, Streep’s resilience on set solely solidified her fame as one of many business’s biggest actors. Hoffman, in the meantime, confronted backlash years later for his on-set habits – not simply in Kramer vs. Kramer, however in different movies as nicely.
Hollywood has since modified. What Hoffman obtained away with then wouldn’t fly now. And whereas Kramer vs. Kramer stays a landmark movie, its behind-the-scenes drama is a stark reminder of how completely different the business as soon as was.
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