Search - The War at Home on DVD

The Vietnam War...on the homefront!

Dave | Tennessee United States | 01/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This powerful and sadly underated movie is one of the best I've ever seen that deals with the often troubled life of a Vietnam War veteran (others include "Coming Home", "The Deer Hunter", "Jacknife", and "Cease Fire"). This is really Emilio Estevez' crowning achievement, and he produced, directed, and starred in this unforgettable drama. Also, the music is a fabulous mixture of 60's and 70's songs as well as the beautiful score composed by Basil Poledouris.

Estevez plays a hardened Vietnam War veteran (and decorated hero) "Jeremy" who returns to his very DYSFUNCTIONAL family: a domineering and stern father (played to perfection by real-life father Martin Sheen), a Pollyanna-type mother whose cheerfulness gets on everyone's nerves (played by the very talented Kathy Bates), and a free-spirited hippie-type sister (played by Kimberly Williams) who can't understand "what's happened" to Jeremy. Jeremy sinks into deeper depression until it finally reaches the boiling point one Thanksgiving Day. Jeremy finally confronts his dad about Vietnam and in a rage finally loses touch with reality, threatening to kill his family!

This amazing film is very important in showing just how devastating the Vietnam War was to America, and how it shattered lives forever. Why this extraordinary film has remained largely unnoticed by the public has baffled me for years, and all three stars (Emilio Estevez, Martin Sheen, and Kathy Bates) deserved oscars for their flawless performances. The dvd has no special features, but is at least low-priced. This movie is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys gripping drama."

This is awesome!

D. Kiemer | North Carolina | 10/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie blows me away! Martin Sheen and Kathy Bates, (my favorite actress,) both play roles totally unexpected and suprising as husband and wife. The acting was believable of all characters, and it really makes you stop and think about the horrors that our soldiers had to endure in Vietnam, God bless them! This is a wake up call addressing our need to honor our vetrans and their families. I highly reccommend this flick!!!"

The War At Home 1996 w/Martin Sheen & Emelio Esteves

Nancy | United States | 04/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just watched The War At Home. This story is very well written, acted & directed. It makes you care for all the characters, and understand what each one is feeling and going through. Not just with what is said, but more importantly, what is not said. The movie gives us a small glimpse of what the Heroic and Brave men went through after returning from the Vietnam War. I myself do not care for war movies, but I could not stop watching. I gave this review five stars because it truly deserves it! I also love that the story is character driven, and does not for one minute rely on special effects. There are a few scenes that were VERY tastefully done, and I did not need to look away once. I highly recommend it. Rarely do I cry during movies, but this really touched my heart, as it will yours. Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Kathy Bates & Kimberly Williams really give great performances. Directed by Emilio Estevez."

Great film (minor spoilers herein)

Nancy | 06/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw _The War At Home_ by accident on television. I was about 16 at the time. I loved it mainly because I thought it was a true story, since I had turned it on after the first 15 minutes & missed the opening voice-over. (Just to clarify: five million Americans served in Vietnam over the course of that long war, therefore a good chance exists the events in this movie happened to thousands of young vets--so I'm hesitant to call it FICTIONAL)Watching it four years later, I felt very sad at the end. Which I actually DIDN'T feel the first time I saw it. The characters were both likeable & unlikeable; I love a movie where you can resent one character you've known all of two hours, or be on the verge of tears when another is facing a difficult time. Bob seemingly acknowledges his son has changed for the worse when he gives his "draft card speech" at the Thanksgiving day table, but he does nothing to help Jeremy. At the same time, Karen is a psych student, but she can be a little too harsh on Jeremy in certain moments. But the characters are humans, they make mistakes.The only real problem I had was with the ending voice-over. It gave too much away. I would have been happier wondering what became of Jeremy. (I wonder why they had Karen, of all the characters, doing the voice overs?) Still, it's worth 5 stars."