MovieChat Forums > Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) Discussion > Streep wrote her own courtroom scene. S...

Streep wrote her own courtroom scene. Smokescreen!

posted 9 years ago by InherentlyYours
1 reply | jump to latest

WTF.
Streep was not even that famous and gets to write her own dialogue. What wrong with Benton that he doesn't reply on his own script, yet gets the Oscar praise. Also, her acting is going to be better when you write your own words! And Hoffman needs to get his nose into everything. The actors are running the show. Who is Streep to dictate how it's written, because she lacked the skill to act it? HOffman and Justin are writing their own dialogue also.
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Meryl Streep wrote her own courtroom speech upon writer-director Robert Benton's suggestion, after she told him she wasn't satisfied with the way it was originally written.The final courtroom scene had one important rewrite: Joanna's explanation of why she left. Robert Benton feared major delays but, in fact, Meryl Streep had in mind what she wanted and quickly rewrote the monologue. Benton said, "Well, the scene is brilliant. I cut only two lines. What you see there is hers."

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

I would say they trusted her enough, to understand her character and wanted her own instinctual input. After THE DEER HUNTER-78' and her first Oscar nom and not to mention the fact that she had 2 other films released in 79', she was gaining respect for her skill and talent. I think Streep saw the role as push for women's rights, independence from men and even empowering for women. In reality, the character was a selfish narcissist. If she wanted it toned down, it's because the original script may have made her less sympathetic, as in the novel. Lets veil the truth behind Joanna Kramer, because after all, her character was a poor put-upon female who was spoiled, self-centered and cold.