MovieChat Forums > Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) Discussion > The part where Dustin knocks the glass a...

The part where Dustin knocks the glass against the wall


Now that I know that it wasn't in the script and he planned it to get a genuine reaction from Meryl, I find it funny. Does anyone else?.

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I didn't think it was funny, I was just like "woah". Dumb thing to do really, knowing you're about to be taken to court for custody of a child. Not a good time to go throwing glass all over the place lol. I'm surprised they didn't end up using that against him in court, even after it was asked at one point whether he has a violent temper.

"The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor."
- Voltaire

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I meant it was funny for the actor to do it, not the character lol. I don't think it was funny that the character (Ted) did it, but it was funny that the actor (Dustin) did it.It was a good way to get a genuine reaction from Meryl.

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To me -- since I just saw this movie yesterday and it's still fresh in my mind -- she actually looked for a moment like she was going to laugh and had to cover her mouth, so I'm not sure that he got the greatest reaction from her.

I instinctively knew it wasn't scripted simply from her reaction, so I'm not surprised to learn now that it, indeed, wasn't.






Room for one more, honey.

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Actually, she was so frightened by his reaction that she put her hand over her mouth out of shock. It wasn't because she was going to laugh. In the trivia, it says Meryl yelled at Dustin after the take was over for scaring her so much. She managed to remain in character though - great actress.

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A truly great actress doesn't need to be tricked into giving a great reaction; a pro is informed as to what's coming, and what's expected of her, and she performs accordingly. Only a novice actress requires that sort of bush-league trick. To pull it on an actress of Streep's caliber is an insult to her abilities.

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OMG. It gave the scene and movie a bunch needed adrenaline boost. It basically says, "This is now a war and it's on!" We got two wonderful reactions out of two wonderful actors. Why are we complaining?

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For the reason stated. Do you really consider Streep such an amateur that a silly trick is needed to elicit a pro's reaction from her?

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Why are we giving them Oscars, then. If an actor gives a good reaction because they were fooled, we are awarding them for being fooled, not genuine acting.

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I don't think Streep would have won the Oscar due to her flinching scene here. She won because of the other acting scenes she did, that voters found impressive.


Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:
💩

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I just watched the scene a couple times and she was definitely not covering her mouth in order to cover a laugh. It was out of shock.

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Actors should not do stuff like that to get a genuine reaction. Streep is capable of doing her job. Hoffman is a self-absorbed pretentious actor who should not be writing the script, setting up shots, ad-libbing, etc. Then present the film for Best director when Hoffman has been pulling the strings. I find him to be such a whiny bugger who would not last long with me.

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When are you going to direct him IY? Yes, he does appear whiny; but I doubt you would pull rank over him, he might not be as uber-sensitive as you think.


Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:
💩

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Dustin Hoffman is not my favorite actor, either. But his throwing the glass against the wall was a shock (probably my favorite bit in the entire film) and it garnered a genuine reaction from Streep. It was honest and emotional and if Benson did not have a problem with it - obviously he APPRECIATED it - then why should a viewer lament the artistic license? Think about it.

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Gimme a break. Ted probably knows deep down, he's going to lose Billy. That's why he gets so defensive so quickly.

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It was wonderful. Joanna totally deserved to be shaken up like that given the sh!t she was trying to pull.

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