Kramer vs. Kramer Structure

Karamer vs Kramer shows how to plunge the viewer immediately into the center of an ongoing story: Joanna is packing her bags to walk out on her husband Ted and their son Billy in the very first Scene. We'll find out why later. While Screenwriter Robert Benton incorporates every expected emotional swing and obstacle, each plot beat has maximum impact because the audience focuses on what is happening in the here and now. Benton did this by his perfect pacing of events. The Screenplay Summary captures his design.