Review of Coming Home (1978) by Harry W — 16 Feb 2013

In California in the late 1960's, Sally Ryde (Jane Fonda) goes to volunteer at the hospital, that is loaded with permanently injured Vietnam war vets, when her husband (Bruce Dern) heads to Vietnam to serve in the war. At the hospital, a severely paralyzed, bitter, and disgruntled veteran named Luke Martin (Jon Voight) begins to actually like her presence, unlike everyone else in the facility. He eventually gains the strength to leave the hospital as a result and begins an illicit affair with Sally.

In 1978, two major films pertaining to the Vietnam War were released: this one and "The Deer Hunter." Both were very successful at the Academy Awards as "Coming Home" took three Oscars while "Deer Hunter" took five, including Best Picture. Sadly, only one works today: "The Deer Hunter." Voight's performance is not bad, but Robert de Niro natural, spectacular performance towers miles above him and he should have received the Oscar for Best Actor. Fonda's performance is definitely not Oscar worthy; it should have gone to Jill Clayburgh for "An Unmarried Woman." I'm pretty disappointed with this film, because it should have been way better due to its accolades. It's too long and it just doesn't compare to other Vietnam War related films in terms of age, emotion, tenseness, or script. I also think that the score of classic 1960's songs doesn't work very well here and it becomes a nuisance after a while. In addition and I saw another review that said this, for which I agree, the movie tried to be like "The Best Years of Our Lives" since it recognized the pain the veterans were facing after the conflict but it is nowhere near that league of films ("The Deer Hunter" is also in that same superior league). What a shame! It may have stood out better with an improved script and story.