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Coming Home Customer Reviews (13 - 15 of 21 Reviews)

Bob has just been left for a tour of duty in Vietnam and Sally decides to occupy her time by helping out at the VA Hospital. There she literally runs into Luke, or more accurately, the bag at the end of his catheter. The foul-mouthed and angry Luke is everything Sally's husband is not, so much so that his being in a wheelchair seems the least of their problems. This is one of those films where it is not that the opposites attract but that they run into each other so often they start to rub off on each other.

Of course the political potency of the film is hampered somewhat by the casting of Jane Fonda, simply because how can anybody really be surprised by the choice made by "Hanoi Jane"? The mere fact it is Fonda playing the character married to Dern makes the strength of the marriage suspect. Voight was also a vocal opponent against the war, but in terms of Hollywood Fonda was in a class by herself. However, the film cannot be dismissed as an anti-war diatribe and the key moment is arguable when Bruce Dern's character questions what is happening over there.

Ironically, seen today "Coming Home" stands up better as a romance film than it does as an anti-war film. The love scene between Voight and Fonda's body double is one of the most tender I can recall. Certainly the idea that a paraplegic could have a sex life was a revelation to thousands of movie goers and this is one of the more adult and realistic portrayals of such a relationship you are likely to find. Note: The DVD version of "Coming Home" features an above average commentary track with actors Voight and Dern, along with the great cinematography Haskell Wexler.

Most Romantic Line: Nothing real springs to mind, but I do remember the awful tagline for this film: "A man who believed in war! A man who believed in nothing! And a woman who believed in both of them!" Sheesh.

If you like "Coming Home," then check out these other films on the AFI's list: #7 "Doctor Zhivago" and #20 "From Here to Eternity." Why? Because they are also about war time romances. Of course, even though it is not on the list the obvious film that comes to mind for comparison is "The Best Years of Our Lives," the "Coming Home" of World War II films.

THE MOST MOVING OF THE VIETNAM WAR FILMS
More emotional than THE DEER HUNTER, and that's going some, Hal Ashby has a masterpiece that moves even the most macho of hearts, especially when Tim Buckley's "Once I Was" plays its first five notes. Oscar worthy, as well as winning, COMING HOME is a gripping work of artistic integrity. Forgotten among the two big Oscar winning roles are Bruce Dern and Penelope Milford (both Best Supporting nominees) and Robert Ginty, all 3 of whom do more than fill screen space. The Rolling Stones "Out Of Time" cannot be more perfectly placed.

"Coming Home" an inspiration
Sally Bender (Jane Fonda) feels lonely and unfulfilled while her husband Bob (Bruce Dern) is away in Vietnam, so she volunteers at a veteran's hospital. There she meets an old high school acquaintance named Luke Martin (Jon Voight). Luke is a bitter paraplegic, but he begins to warm up to Sally. Sally discovers that beneath his rage Luke is sensitive and attentive, whereas her husband is distant physically and emotionally. Luke is released from the hospital and he and Sally fall in love. Sally feels emotionally - and sexually - fulfilled for the first time, but she and Luke know that the days are numbered until Bob comes home. Soundtrack includes original songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Buffalo Springfield. Luke comes across as an inspiration when we see how he doesn't let his crippling injury hamper his life. Unfortunately, some of the final scenes let us down; there really isn't a satisfactory wrap up. Otherwise a wonderful film that will stand the test of time.