How did Cramer, Cramer, Meryl Streep, and Justin Henry create such a memorable performance in "Kramer, Kramer"?

Acting coaching that led a child actor with no acting experience to Oscar nomination

Dustin Hoffman, who trained at the Actors Studio, is known for his thorough approach to character development. What's most interesting about "Cramer, Cramer" is that it not only explodes within his own body, but also extends to his scenes with child actor Justin Henry, who is trying acting for the first time.

It's hard to imagine that Justin, born in 1971, is now nearly 50 years old, but at the time he had no experience as a child actor and was just a kid who didn't know anything. But perhaps it was his The Natural amateurishness that caught the eye of the production team, who felt that he had the potential to shine and decided to cast him in the role, entrusting his fate to heaven.

“Kramer, Kramer” (c)1979 COLUMBIA PICTURES INDUSTRIES, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Naturally, Dustin Hoffman is almost always present in Justin's appearances. As expected, the two developed a closeness similar to that of a real parent and child, and a relationship similar to that of a true master and student. What particularly stood out was the scenes where he used improvisation to create special moments.

For example, one scene that has become a familiar story is a scene where a father and son clash while eating dinner. "I don't want to eat anymore!" my son says, taking out the ice cream from the refrigerator and slowly starting to eat it. It wasn't in the script, but when Hoffman proposed to child actor Justin an episode he had once had with his daughter, he said, ``Yes, let's try it!'' and agreed. This worked out perfectly. If the script is a blueprint, then this movie is filled with countless moments like this that transcend preordained harmony.

The highly advanced method that gave Justin his “crying” performance