Overview
A poignant exploration of love and sacrifice during a time of war.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- intimate
- earnest
- melancholic
- reflective evening
- vietnam war cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the stellar cast and touching human drama while finding its antiwar politics necessary but sometimes overly explicit.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sally's relationship with Luke links private romantic upheaval to shifting American views of the Vietnam War.
Luke's paraplegia and life in a wheelchair are central to his bond with Sally and to his reintegration after combat.
The veteran hospital, Luke's injury, and Sally's volunteer work turn opposition to the war into an interpersonal story.
Sally's marriage to deployed Marine Captain Bob becomes untenable as her connection with Luke deepens.
Films like Coming Home, and why
The Deer Hunter
shared vietnam war setting, antiwar politics, romantic drama, and emotionally direct humanism
The Best Years of Our Lives
shared postwar veteran trauma, intimate romance, and socially conscious drama
The China Syndrome
shared new hollywood political critique, fractured masculinity, and morally complicated relationships
Coming Home
shared vietnam-era disillusionment, countercultural atmosphere, and romantic-political tension
Movie Details
- Director
- Hal Ashby
- Release Date
- 1978-02-15
- Runtime
- 127 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (208)
Cast
- Jane Fonda
- Jon Voight
- Bruce Dern
- Penelope Milford
- Robert Carradine
- Robert Ginty
- Mary Gregory
- Kathleen Miller
- Beeson Carroll
- Willie Tyler
Common questions
- What is Coming Home about?
- A military wife finds love and moral clarity with a paralyzed Vietnam veteran while confronting the personal cost of war.
- What is Coming Home like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Coming Home as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Coming Home violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Coming Home as moderate.
- What did critics think of Coming Home?
- Critics broadly praised the stellar cast and touching human drama while finding its antiwar politics necessary but sometimes overly explicit.
- Which films are like Coming Home?
- Films with a similar feel include The Deer Hunter, The Best Years of Our Lives, The China Syndrome, and Coming Home.
- How long is Coming Home?
- Coming Home runs 127 minutes.
