1979
Ted Kramer's life is upended when his wife, Joanna, leaves him and their young son, Billy, forcing Ted to become a single father while balancing his demanding advertising career. Ted struggles initially with domestic tasks and parenting, but he gradually forms a deep bond with Billy, learning to prioritize his son's needs over his career. Just as Ted finds stability and a new job, Joanna returns, having found herself and a new career, and demands full custody of Billy, leading to a bitter court battle. During the trial, both Ted and Joanna's pasts are scrutinized, with Ted's commitment as a father highlighted against Joanna's earlier abandonment, yet the judge ultimately awards custody to Joanna. On the day Billy is set to move, Joanna, seeing the strong bond between father and son, decides to relinquish custody, allowing Billy to remain with Ted, and they share a tearful, loving goodbye.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Advertising executive Ted Kramer must suddenly become a single parent when his wife Joanna abandons their son.
Open full beat sheetTed Kramer is listed as Protagonist. Junior executive at an advertising agency, nice-looking, becomes a single father. In the parsed data, Ted Kramer is connected to 94 scenes, 109 dialogue lines, 110 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
94 scenes / 109 dialogue linesBilly Kramer is listed as Supporting. Ted and Joanna's five-year-old son. In the parsed data, Billy Kramer is connected to 35 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
35 scenes / 25 dialogue linesJoanna Kramer is listed as Antagonist/Protagonist. Ted's wife, mid-thirties, beautiful, struggles with her role as a mother and wife. In the parsed data, Joanna Kramer is connected to 21 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
21 scenes / 32 dialogue linesJim O'Connor is listed as Supporting. Ted's boss and friend, middle-fifties, heavy drinker. In the parsed data, Jim O'Connor is connected to 14 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
14 scenes / 11 dialogue linesPhyllis Bernard is listed as Supporting. Lawyer at the agency, attractive, early thirties. In the parsed data, Phyllis Bernard is connected to 11 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
11 scenes / 7 dialogue linesThelma Phillips is listed as Supporting. Neighbor and Joanna's best friend, divorced. In the parsed data, Thelma Phillips is connected to 11 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
11 scenes / 5 dialogue linesJohn Shaunessy is listed as Supporting. Ted's lawyer, formidable and well-dressed. In the parsed data, John Shaunessy is connected to 10 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 65.
10 scenes / 15 dialogue linesMrs. Willewska is listed as Supporting. Housekeeper in her early sixties. In the parsed data, Mrs. Willewska is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMr. Gressen is listed as Supporting. Joanna's lawyer. In the parsed data, Mr. Gressen is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 89.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMurray Fisher is listed as Supporting. Ambitious junior executive at the agency. In the parsed data, Murray Fisher is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 6.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesTed Kramer and his colleagues wait anxiously for a call regarding the Revlon account.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'Connor, Phyllis Bernard, Murray FisherJoanna says goodnight to Billy before leaving.
Joanna Kramer, Billy KramerJoanna prepares to leave the apartment.
Joanna KramerThe team celebrates winning the Revlon account.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'ConnorJoanna packs her toiletries.
Joanna KramerTed continues to recount his pitch story to Murray.
Ted Kramer, Murray FisherJoanna leaves a list of instructions for Ted.
Joanna KramerO'Connor tells Ted he will be promoted.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'ConnorJoanna packs her jewelry.
Joanna KramerO'Connor confirms Ted is in charge of the account.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'ConnorJoanna finishes packing.
Joanna KramerJoanna tells Ted she is leaving him.
Ted Kramer, Joanna KramerJoanna explains she is leaving Billy behind.
Ted Kramer, Joanna KramerTed tries to clean up the mess.
Ted KramerTed calls Thelma.
Ted Kramer, Thelma PhillipsThelma visits Ted.
Ted Kramer, Thelma PhillipsBilly wakes up and realizes his mother is gone.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerTed attempts to explain Joanna's absence to Billy and tries to make breakfast, resulting in a disaster.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerTed walks Billy to school and they discuss Joanna's return.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerTed arrives at work and is congratulated for the Fire and Ice account.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'ConnorTed and O'Connor discuss the account and Ted's personal life.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'ConnorTed reads a letter from Joanna to Billy.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerThelma gives Ted instructions on how to care for Billy.
Ted Kramer, Thelma PhillipsThelma instructs Ted on laundry and chores.
Ted Kramer, Billy Kramer, Thelma PhillipsTed removes traces of Joanna from the apartment.
Ted KramerTed finds a photo of Joanna hidden by Billy.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerTed tries to leave work to pick up Billy, but O'Connor tries to keep him.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'ConnorTed picks up Billy from a birthday party.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerTed and Billy have a strained dinner and bedtime.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerTed interviews various housekeepers.
Ted Kramer, Mrs. WillewskaTed interviews Mrs. Willewska for the housekeeper position and they check on Billy.
Ted Kramer, Mrs. Willewska, Billy KramerTed and Mrs. Willewska look at the sleeping Billy.
Ted Kramer, Mrs. Willewska, Billy KramerTed and Billy shop for groceries, with Billy correcting Ted's choices.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerTed meets a divorced father while Billy plays, then panics when he loses sight of Billy.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerBilly performs in a school play while Ted watches.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerTed walks down the street carrying Billy's art project.
Ted KramerTed arrives at work and is immediately swamped with tasks.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'ConnorTed visits Phyllis to review contracts and they agree to have dinner.
Ted Kramer, Phyllis BernardTed and Phyllis are in bed together.
Ted Kramer, Phyllis BernardPhyllis encounters Billy in the bathroom.
Billy Kramer, Phyllis BernardPhyllis tells Ted about meeting Billy.
Ted Kramer, Phyllis BernardTed and Thelma discuss marriage and divorce while cooking.
Ted Kramer, Thelma PhillipsTed tries to teach Billy to bat, but Phyllis intervenes.
Ted Kramer, Billy Kramer, Phyllis BernardTed confronts O'Connor and Murray about changes to his ad campaign.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'Connor, Murray FisherTed yells at Billy after he spills juice on work papers.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerPhyllis invites Ted to lunch.
Ted Kramer, Phyllis BernardTed and Phyllis have lunch.
Ted Kramer, Phyllis BernardPhyllis leaves O'Connor's office and invites Ted to lunch.
Phyllis Bernard, Jim O'Connor, Murray Fisher, Ted KramerPhyllis warns Ted that O'Connor is planning to take the Fire and Ice account away from him.
Ted Kramer, Phyllis BernardTed discovers Murray's ad proof and marches to O'Connor's office.
Ted KramerTed confronts O'Connor about the ad changes.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'ConnorTed and Billy have a volatile argument over dinner.
Billy Kramer, Ted KramerTed cleans up after the dinner argument.
Ted KramerTed and Billy reconcile and discuss why Joanna left.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerTed teaches Billy how to ride a bike.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerJoanna watches Ted and Billy from a coffee shop.
Billy Kramer, Ted Kramer, Joanna KramerBilly is injured in a fall at the playground.
Ted Kramer, Thelma Phillips, Billy KramerTed rushes an injured Billy to the hospital.
Ted Kramer, Billy Kramer, Thelma PhillipsBilly receives stitches for his wound.
Ted Kramer, Billy Kramer, Thelma PhillipsTed asks Thelma to look after Billy if anything happens to him.
Thelma Phillips, Ted KramerTed and Billy share a morning routine.
Billy Kramer, Ted KramerTed receives a phone call from Joanna.
Ted Kramer, Joanna KramerTed meets Joanna at a restaurant.
Ted Kramer, Joanna KramerTed meets Joanna at a restaurant where she reveals she has been living in New York and wants custody of Billy.
Ted Kramer, Joanna KramerTed consults with John Shaunessy about his custody case.
Ted Kramer, John ShaunessyTed attempts to make a list of pros and cons for keeping Billy.
Ted KramerTed visits Billy in his room.
Ted Kramer, Billy KramerTed is fired by Jim O'Connor.
Ted Kramer, Jim O'ConnorTed packs his belongings.
Ted KramerTed walks through the city in shock.
Ted KramerTed tries to find a new job.
Ted KramerTed makes calls from a phone booth.
Ted KramerEstablishing shot of the apartment.
Ted receives a call from his lawyer about the court date.
Ted Kramer, John ShaunessyTed demands a job lead.
Ted KramerTed interviews for a job.
Ted KramerAckerman fetches Spencer for the interview.
Ted KramerTed negotiates his salary to get the job.
Ted KramerTed waits for the decision.
Ted KramerTed gets the job.
Ted KramerAfter I left... when I was in California, I began to think, what kind of mother was I that I could walk out on my own child. It got to where I couldn't tell anybody about Billy... I couldn't stand that look in their faces when I said he wasn't living with me. Finally it seemed like the most important thing in the world to come back here and prove to Billy and to me and to the world how much I loved him... And I did... And I won. Only... it was just another "should." Sitting in that courtroom. Hearing everything you did, everything you went through... Something happened. I guess it doesn't matter how much I love him, or how much you love him. I guess it's like you said, the only thing that counts is what's best for Billy. I don't know, maybe that's all love is anyway... Ted, I think Billy should stay with you...
Look, ah... Ted. I just got word from the guys at Revlon and... ah they did some marketing tests on our campaign and the results were... Disappointing. It only pulled a fourteen share and they were hoping for a twenty five minimum, and... ah... they're not very happy and... Well, the guys have decided they want to... ah, re-think the entire concept and... Look, I don't like having to do this, okay?... But... I mean, what I mean is... ah, I'm going to have to... ah, let you go
I'm not saying we don't have a shot, but it won't be easy... Mr. Kramer, do me a favor. There is something I find very helpful in matters like this. I sit down and make a list of all the pros and cons on an issue. I actually write them down and look at them. I want you to do that, okay? Then, after that, if you're really sure you want to retain custody of your child then we'll go in there and whip their asses.
Bigger than a principal. The judge sits in robes in a big chair... The judge has thought a lot about us, about you and me and your mom, and he has decided... he has decided that it would be best for you to live with your mom Joanna in her apartment. And I'm very lucky. Because even though you'll live with your mom Joanna I'll get to see you once a week for dinner and a couple of weekends a month.
What d'you know about how Joanna felt? You went off to an office every morning and you'd come dragging home at seven or eight every night and as long as dinner was on the table you thought everything was swell.
I came home tonight. We just got the Fire and Ice account at the agency. Do you know what that means?! Do you understand what that means? It means that it was maybe one of the five best days in my whole life.
All right, Thelma... That's it. I've had it. You can call your good friend Joanna Kramer and tell her enough is enough, okay? I mean, I don't know what I did, but you can tell her she's made her point.
I urge you to retain her. Her number is 722-8099, and I think she will take the job if it is offered. I'm sure other things will come up. Ask me what you need to and I guess eventually we'll talk...
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