Review of Coming Home (1978) by Brontë Y — 26 Aug 2012

This wasn't the first film to deal with the issue of soldiers coming home after war, and trying to transition back into a "normal" life, but it was one of the earliest to deal specifically with the subject in regards to Vietnam, as well as the first film to tackle the issue of sex and disabilities.

Despite the good subject matter and plot, since Hal Ashby is at the helm, you just know that it is primarily going to be a character driven piece that mostly leans to the left, though the movie isn't completely one sided. The main plot focuses on a woman named Sally whose Marine Captain husband gets shipped off to Vietnam. Feeling lonely and bored, she decides to volunteer at a VA hospital, and while there she develops a strong relationship with a former classmate who got wounded in the war, and is now a bitter, angry, and disillusioned paraplegic trying to get his life back together. When Sally's husband returns home, also wounded, the impact of the war, and the love triangle comes to a boil. and the full effect of everything comes to a head.

So yeah, this isn't the most original movie, but it is a well made and thoughtful melodrama anchored by some strong performances and Ashby's knack for good character pieces. It really didn't teach me anything I didn't already know, and it is a bit slow at times, but I still think it is a worthwhile film. Maybe I'd be more impressed had I seen it earlier, or before I saw The Deer Hunter and Born on the Fourth of July, which tackle the same issues in far better ways.

The soundtrack is pretty good, with lots of tunes from the Rolling Stones, as well as other great, albeit typical songs from the time period. Some of the transitions and editing with the music were rather abrupt and jarring, but not enough to make me lessen my rating too much.

All in all, a good, if overrated take on the various damages that war can have on people from all walks of life.