MovieChat Forums > Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) Discussion > Ted's not stupid, so why...

Ted's not stupid, so why...

posted 11 years ago by IloveMuggy
15 replies | jump to latest

...does he ramble on at lunch with his boss and tell the cutesy story about Billy saying "You've lost weight--and it went to your nose!" (paraphrased).

Ted *knew* that his boss was already concerned with his lack of focus on the job; why would he babble on about Billy when this was very clearly an issue? Ted's no idiot.

Lame writing, imo.

That said, one of my favorite parts of the movie is when Ted says, "Shame on you" in refusing his boss's cash offer after said boss fires him. Very powerful acting by the always-terrific Dustin Hoffman!

[–] johnston.scot 11 years ago

Because a movie is only 100-some minutes long, and they need to boil down into a single scene, so the audience "gets it," something that in real life would happen over the course of dozens of interactions. The thrust of the scene is that Ted and his boss are no longer on the same wavelength. They used to have similar interests and a similar world-view: now Ted's mind is occupied with domestic stuff.

[–] IloveMuggy 11 years ago

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Johnston.scot. Makes sense!

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] theoriginalskinnyrinny 11 years ago

I took it that Ted was so steeped into the parent role that he never imagined that he'd lose his job. His boss was looking at him like he was someone that he hardly knew anymore (if at all) and it was time to cut the cord. While it was a little goofy to have Ted spoon feed him some of his meal, there's that line between parents and non-parents (or non-parent bosses) that magically appears at one point. I'd say his boss didn't have any kids because was just all business and it was jarring for him to see the once-killer Ted become more human (see Tootsie if for another similar Hoffman transformation.) It was a good scene, as you can see the hurt in Ted's eyes when he hears that he's been let go, and the panic in his voice when he tells the guy about his pending divorce.

[–] koffeenkreame41-1 11 years ago

Agreed, great scene.

"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit me!"- Hudson in Aliens.

[–] dancingjinn2 9 years ago

Agreed. I wouldn't be surprised if the boss had kids though. He just didn't let them interfere with his professional life. Back at that time, it was pretty common for men to be a lot less hands on with their kids, just like Ted was at the beginning. So even if the boss had kids, he basically had nothing in common with Ted anymore who was totally wrapped up in his kid.

[–] jimmypage195 11 years ago

well i think that the writer wanted the audience to see how busy ted is with billy and home and his whole world is around the kid .

[–] westal_sage 10 years ago

Lame writing? Lame opinion.

[–] Cynphilly007 10 years ago

I think he was trying to instill something in the conversation that would make his boss not fire him. Add a personal heart warming story to make his boss think twice.

[–] puplover 10 years ago

No, the scene opened w/ Ted telling that story. So he didn't even know he was about to be fired. His demeanor is actually similar to the beginning scene: when he is totally involved w/ HIMSELF. He isn't very adept at pausing and assessing situations. He thinks everyone else is on his wavelength. Same thing that happened w/ Joanna, happened w/ the boss. Ted wasn't aware. Very human. Great writing!!!

[–] KMR 10 years ago

OMG, have you ever talked to parents of young children? I would ask an ex-coworker about how her weekend went and the first thing she would launch into was all the stuff her kid did and said. The scene you're referencing felt very true to life to me!

[–] Lovetvshows 10 years ago

What I don't understand about the movie is how unprofessional Ted was at the office. He is late for a meeting because he went grocery shopping and he then hands the groceries over to his secretary. He also lets his son play on the table that he has his designs on while his son is drinking punch. I am surprised that they didn't show Ted hiring a part-time nanny to help with his son.

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[–] brefane 9 years ago

Ted is stupid. Why run across Central Park West and Park Avenue with his bleeding though not seriously injured son dodging traffic and risk getting hit by a car instead of hailing a cab to go to the emergency room? PS NY is full of cabs. And has Ted never heard of babysitters or housekeepers? Hiring one would have made his life easier and probably would have prevented him from losing his job.