Career-focused Ted paid little attention to his wife's feelings and needs, always wanting her to be who he expected. Finally, after experiencing painful emotional torment and intense ideological struggle, she decided to leave Ted and her son to find her true self and the meaning of life. Ted, who was on the rise in her career, initially dismissed it, believing she would be back soon, and even thought she had ruined one of the five best days in my life. For joanna, however, this is hell of pain, she takes a lot of courage to get out of here.
Joanna, who ran away from home, didn't come back, and Ted had to accept the reality. He messed up his breakfast, sent his kids to school without knowing Billy's grade, and insisted on telling a sad Billy about Joanna's beliefs. In the time spent together day and night, Ted gradually took on the responsibility of taking care of Billy, and set the balance that was heavily tilted towards work back. When Billy insisted on eating ice cream and was trained, he hid in the bed and said: That's why Mommy left, isn't it? Because I was bad? self anatomy. The father and son also completed the reconciliation at this moment.
In the process of father and son life, Joanna, who is under the pressure of inferiority, confusion, doubt and other emotions, is also struggling to move forward and face herself. This reminds me of "Jin Zhiying Born in 1982", the heroine in the film also loses herself in the endless state of housewives with no work and few social contacts. The difference is that Jin Zhixian faces it together with her husband, and this film does not explain too much about Joanna's process of seeking herself. Joanna will fight for Billy's custody after she has healed her heart, rediscovered herself, and got a good job. At this time, Ted lost his job because he couldn't concentrate on his career. In order to fight for custody, Ted lowered his worth and found a job on Christmas Eve. When Ted brought Billy to his new studio, Billy looked out the window at the tall buildings and said simply and sincerely: i bet if she sow it then she will merry you. In the complex relationship of adults, Billy's thoughts seem so precious and pale.
Kramer vs. Kramer in court, but the husband and wife were not in a tit-for-tat state, but deepened their understanding of both sides during the debate. The lawyer asked joanna, "Have you failed the most important relationship in your life?" Ted shook his head pitifully. In the process, the two sides re-examined the concept of men and women: women are not necessarily as ambitious as men, and men are not necessarily as good as women in taking care of children. Ted's response to the lawyer's questioning in court was the best explanation of his love for his children, but sadly, these testimony became evidence of losing custody.
After losing custody, Ted desperately wanted to appeal, but he gave up after learning that a lawyer would be subpoenaing Belgium. He made breakfast with Billy calmly. Unlike the first time he made breakfast in a hurry, this time they cooperated tacitly, calmly and skillfully. Joanna, who got custody, went back to a familiar home to pick up Billy, but found that he already is home. So joanna gave up. The couple who understand each other and sympathize with each other go to court because they compete for custody. They both love Billy deeply, but they cannot raise the child together, and only one of them can give up. The irreconcilable contradictions in life have reached their sharpest state at this moment. Such contradictions are happening all the time, but they can never be solved perfectly.
Robert Benton expresses deep and diverse themes through the mundane trivia of life, and the overall rhythm of the film is peaceful but deep and powerful. From identity dissonance, to self-liberation, joanna has the courage to break out of the quagmire of life, and interprets feminism. Ted went from being fully engaged in his career to taking responsibility and balancing work and family. And these struggles and transformations are driven by love.
Finally, let’s talk about the audiovisual language of the film. The use of shots throughout the film is extremely plain and concise, and the editing is relatively straightforward. The concessions in expression techniques leave more room for interpretation of feelings. There are two lenses that I like very much. One is the first reunion of Joanna and Teddy after they separated. Joanna sat on the seat and waited, occupying the main visual space, while Teddy appeared from the reflection of the mirror next to it, showing the alienation of the two When the two were talking, Teddy's face was always out of focus, and the blur on the screen aggravated the inner alienation. The second shot is of Teddy hugging him across the street after Billy smashes the corner of his eye. The long shot of the movement creates a sense of urgency and at the same time interprets fatherly love. In terms of soundtrack, the whole piece also retains great restraint. Almost no soundtrack is used in the whole piece. Through life trivia and confrontation, the emotions are gradually accumulated. When the ending music is played, the accumulated emotions burst out in an instant, making people feel for a long time. Immerse yourself in it.
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