Coming Home Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Marine’s wife volunteers at a VA hospital and discovers a new ‘therapy’ with a handsome, wounded veteran, making her question if ‘coming home’ means something entirely different for everyone.

🍿 Coming Home: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Marine Wife’s World Transformed

In 1968 California, Sally Hyde leads a conventional life as the dutiful wife of U.S. Marine Corps Captain Bob Hyde, who holds traditional, conservative views about serving his country. As Bob is deployed to Vietnam for active combat, Sally finds herself alone for the first time, prompting her to seek new purpose. On the advice of her new bohemian friend, Vi Munson, Sally decides to volunteer at a local Veterans Administration (VA) hospital. This decision marks a significant shift in her sheltered existence, exposing her to the harsh realities faced by returning soldiers.

New Perspectives at the VA Hospital

At the VA hospital, Sally encounters numerous injured veterans, many of whom are emotionally and physically scarred by the war. Among them is Sergeant Luke Martin, a former high school acquaintance of Sally’s, now paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair due to combat injuries. Luke is initially portrayed as an angry and embittered man, grappling with the profound impact of his experiences. Sally’s interactions with Luke and other veterans gradually challenge her pre-conceived notions about the war and patriotism. She witnesses the neglect and struggles of these soldiers firsthand, leading her to question the systemic issues within the veteran care system.

A Deepening Connection

Despite her unwavering affection for her absent husband, a complex relationship begins to develop between Sally and Luke. Their bond deepens as they find solace and understanding in each other, both seeking to cope with the emotional voids in their lives. Through their evolving friendship, Sally and Luke discover new aspects of themselves and their perspectives on life and the war begin to diverge from their past. Their intimate connection blossoms as they navigate the personal needs and unspoken emotions that arise from their unique circumstances, culminating in a profound love affair that alters the course of both their lives.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sally Hyde (Jane Fonda): A military wife whose conventional life is transformed by her volunteer work at a veteran’s hospital and her profound relationship with a paralyzed veteran.
• Luke Martin (Jon Voight): A paraplegic Vietnam veteran who, initially consumed by bitterness, finds renewed purpose in anti-war activism and a deep connection with Sally.
• Capt. Bob Hyde (Bruce Dern): Sally’s Marine Captain husband who returns from Vietnam emotionally shattered and struggles to reconcile his wartime experiences with his personal life.
• Vi Munson (Penelope Milford): Sally’s bohemian friend and fellow volunteer at the veteran’s hospital, who introduces Sally to a new perspective on life and the war.
• Bill Munson (Robert Carradine): Vi’s deeply traumatized brother and a patient at the veteran’s hospital, whose severe PTSD tragically illustrates the war’s psychological toll.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Luke Martin: “I have killed for my country, or whatever, and I don’t feel good about it.” – Said by Luke during his powerful, unprompted speech to high school students, summarizing his profound disillusionment and the personal cost of the war.
• Wounded Vet #1: “Some of us… need to justify to ourselves what the f*ck we did there.” – Spoken by a veteran in the film’s raw, unscripted opening scene at the hospital, immediately setting a poignant and introspective tone about the war’s psychological impact.
• Vi Munson: “They sent him back without an ignition.” – Vi says this with heartbreaking resignation about her brother Bill, a fellow veteran suffering from severe PTSD, highlighting the profound and often invisible wounds of war.
• Luke Martin: “There’s a choice to be made.” – A poignant line from Luke’s concluding speech, urging his audience to choose consciousness and engagement over denial and self-deception regarding the war’s legacy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $32,653,905
• Worldwide Gross: $32,654,046

💥 Coming Home Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, ‘Coming Home’ is a film that sticks with you long after the credits roll. I was completely captivated by Jane Fonda’s journey, watching her character Sally transform from a dutiful, somewhat naive wife into someone deeply empathetic and politically aware. It felt so real. Jon Voight’s performance as Luke was absolutely stunning; his portrayal of a war veteran dealing with both physical and emotional wounds was just heartbreakingly powerful. The quiet intensity of their relationship, against the backdrop of so much turmoil, really moved me. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s an incredibly important and beautiful one that makes you feel so much for the characters and the period.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas and psychological studies”
  • “Viewers interested in the social and emotional impact of the Vietnam War”
  • “Those who appreciate strong, nuanced performances from lead actors”
  • “Audiences looking for a thoughtful, non-combat focused war film”
  • “Fans of 1970s cinema and films by Hal Ashby”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes including war trauma and its psychological effects”
  • “Infidelity and complex relationship dynamics”
  • “Scenes depicting graphic injuries and hospital conditions”
  • “Brief nudity and sexual content”
  • “Discussions of suicide and self-harm”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• The Daily Cinema: “Hal Ashby’s ‘Coming Home’ is a deeply moving exploration of love, loss, and the profound personal costs of war. Jane Fonda and Jon Voight deliver powerhouse performances, their nuanced portrayals capturing the emotional devastation and unexpected connections forged amidst the chaos of 1960s America. The film’s quiet intimacy allows its powerful message to resonate deeply, making it a timeless and essential viewing experience.
• Screen Verdict: “This film masterfully blends a compelling love story with a sharp critique of the Vietnam War’s impact on soldiers and their families. Fonda’s transformation is captivating, evolving from a naive military wife to a woman awakened by tragedy and compassion. Voight’s raw portrayal of a paralyzed veteran is heartbreakingly authentic, earning every accolade. ‘Coming Home’ isn’t just a period piece; it’s a vital, human drama.

Audience Reactions

Viewers consistently praised the incredibly powerful and authentic performances from Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.: The film’s sensitive portrayal of veterans’ struggles and the emotional toll of war on families resonated deeply with many, along with its honest depiction of love and healing amidst profound pain.

Many found the evolving relationship between Sally and Luke to be genuinely tender and profoundly impactful.: The anti-war message was effectively conveyed through personal stories rather than explicit political statements, making it more relatable and emotionally compelling for audiences.

Overall Consensus: A poignant and powerful drama, ‘Coming Home’ is widely acclaimed for its stellar performances, tender love story, and its honest, deeply human exploration of the devastating impact of the Vietnam War.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Actor)- 1979
2. Academy Award (Best Actress)- 1979
3. Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay)- 1979

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The powerful opening scene featuring disabled Vietnam veterans discussing their experiences was entirely unscripted, with real veterans sharing their own views on the war. Jon Voight, initially intended to participate in the dialogue, chose to remain silent out of respect for their authentic voices, allowing their raw honesty to set the film’s tone.”
• “To prepare for his Oscar-winning role as Luke Martin, Jon Voight spent several weeks in a wheelchair at a VA hospital in Los Angeles, immersing himself in the daily lives and challenges of paralyzed veterans to ensure the authenticity of his portrayal.”
• “The film’s distinguished cinematographer, Haskell Wexler, known for his social realism and independent spirit, famously walked off the set due to creative differences but later returned to complete the film, going on to win an Academy Award for his work.”
• “Breaking from traditional film scores, director Hal Ashby opted for an extensive soundtrack composed entirely of popular rock and folk songs from the late 1960s (including iconic tracks by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan), a distinctive artistic choice that immersed the audience in the era’s cultural and emotional landscape.”

🖥️ How to Watch Coming Home?

Coming Home is available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms. You can find it to stream via platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be purchased from online retailers such as Amazon, providing options for every viewer.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Coming Home, you might like these similar films:

• The Deer Hunter (1978): Explores the devastating psychological and physical toll of the Vietnam War on returning soldiers, making it a direct thematic and era-specific companion.
• The Best Years of Our Lives (1946): A classic film that empathetically depicts the profound challenges faced by soldiers returning home from WWII, including physical injuries, PTSD, and readjusting to civilian life and relationships.
• Taxi Driver (1976): Features a Vietnam veteran protagonist struggling with intense alienation, insomnia, and psychological turmoil, reflecting the darker, unaddressed mental wounds of the era’s returned soldiers.
• Brothers (2009): A modern drama focusing on the severe psychological impact of war on a returning soldier and the complex emotional dynamics and love triangle that ensue within his family.
• Harold and Maude (1971): Directed by Hal Ashby, this cult classic shares his distinct blend of dark humor and profound humanism, exploring unconventional relationships and finding meaning in life amidst existential challenges.

🛒 Coming Home Related Products

• Coming Home (Criterion Collection Blu-ray): Experience the powerful drama of ‘Coming Home’ in stunning high-definition, featuring a newly restored 4K digital transfer. This Criterion Collection edition includes extensive bonus features, director interviews, and essays exploring the film’s enduring legacy.
• The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien: A collection of interconnected short stories about a platoon of American soldiers in the Vietnam War. This powerful and acclaimed novel vividly captures the emotional and psychological burdens carried by soldiers, both during and after the conflict.
• Coming Home Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Vinyl): Relive the iconic musical backdrop of ‘Coming Home’ with this vinyl release of the original motion picture soundtrack. Featuring classic hits from the 1960s that perfectly set the film’s mood and era.
• Vietnam War: The Definitive Story (Documentary Series): An acclaimed documentary series exploring the full scope of the Vietnam War, from its origins to its lasting impact. Features archival footage, expert analysis, and personal testimonies.

🎧 Soundtrack

Coming Home features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sympathy for the Devil” – performed by The Rolling Stones
• “Hey Jude” – performed by The Beatles
• “Tobacco Road” – performed by Eric Burdon & The Animals
• “Born to Be Wild” – performed by Steppenwolf
• “House of the Rising Sun” – performed by The Animals
• “My Girl” – performed by The Temptations
• “Strawberry Fields Forever” – performed by The Beatles

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads (Official Audio)

You absolutely have to revisit the emotional core of ‘The Deer Hunter’ with John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads.’ This song isn’t just a soundtrack; it’s practically another character in the film, perfectly capturing the bittersweet yearning for normalcy after everything the characters endure. Listening to it always gives me chills, bringing back all the feels from that powerful ending.

✨ Rate