Jon Voight creates a memorable persona here of a Vietnam vet who comes home paralyzed from the war, and, after being angry for awhile, gets on with the business of living.
Also good are Jane Fonda as Sally, a military wife who starts to find herself once she has some time on her own, and Bruce Dern as her military-officer spouse, devastated by PTSD and an inability to adjust after his combat service ("I don't belong here").
Sally sets a good example for making a friend in Vi (Penelope Milford), and being increasingly open in her feelings through her interactions with Voight's Luke, asking him over for dinner one night, a pitcher full of margeritas in the fridge. I'd like to be more like her in these ways. The three pals' fun day out with a bike is movie magic.
The score to "Coming Home" is excellent, full of songs from the era. My favorite interlude juxtaposes a soulful Richie Havens ballad against Luke's admission that when he dreams, he has legs that work.
In all, "Coming Home" is a powerful argument for avoiding judgment based on appearance alone. Voight's performance outshines his other impressive screen portrayals, "Midnight Cowboy" included.
Also good are Jane Fonda as Sally, a military wife who starts to find herself once she has some time on her own, and Bruce Dern as her military-officer spouse, devastated by PTSD and an inability to adjust after his combat service ("I don't belong here").
Sally sets a good example for making a friend in Vi (Penelope Milford), and being increasingly open in her feelings through her interactions with Voight's Luke, asking him over for dinner one night, a pitcher full of margeritas in the fridge. I'd like to be more like her in these ways. The three pals' fun day out with a bike is movie magic.
The score to "Coming Home" is excellent, full of songs from the era. My favorite interlude juxtaposes a soulful Richie Havens ballad against Luke's admission that when he dreams, he has legs that work.
In all, "Coming Home" is a powerful argument for avoiding judgment based on appearance alone. Voight's performance outshines his other impressive screen portrayals, "Midnight Cowboy" included.