How others will see it. Many older conservatives have never forgiven Jane Fonda for her protests against the Vietnam War, regardless of whether her objections were vindicated by history (perhaps one should protest a government whose policies led to the deaths of perhaps a million innocent people.) Those not willing to forgive will not relish her playing a Marine's wife in an anti-Vietnam War movie. Particularly, when her pro-war husband plays a sap and becomes unhinged.
Not all veterans come back mentally or physically ill, a point which needs to be made after watching Coming Home, or one of its like-minded brethren, e.g., The Men (1950) or Born on the Fourth of July (1989). Coming Home is admittedly closer to the truth about war than past Hollywood war tales of heroism, such as Sergeant York (1941). But it infers that being a soldier at war makes you crazy, certainly a reach.
How I felt about it. While conservatives will not embrace Coming Home, the film offers rewards for the rest of us. One message is that it does take a village, after all. Jane Fonda's TLC converts Jon Voight in just a few scenes, from an angry young man into a placid, thoughtful soul. Vi is also brought back from despair by her friendship with Fonda. Two former soldiers nonetheless commit suicide, which shows that even the milk of human kindness can only go so far.
Another lesson is that sixties Rolling Stones songs can really spruce up a soundtrack. Even their take on "My Girl" sounds pretty good, although it has some notes that Mick Jagger shouldn't try to hit.
As the friendship between Fonda and Voight picks up steam, infidelity becomes an issue. Is it wrong for Fonda to sleep with another man while her husband is away at war? It is wrong to cut off the new relationship when the husband returns? Should she have told Bruce Dern, who learned of the affair from FBI investigators?
Coming Home brings up these decisions, but doesn't try to justify them. In the end, Jane Fonda does what she does because the person in need at hand takes priority. When Dern returns from the war as a basket case, his need is greater.
One difference between Coming Home and Born on the Fourth of July is the depiction of veterans hospitals. Coming Home has a top quality hospital, with good facilities and caring and able staff. In the more recent Born on the Fourth of July, Tom Cruise nearly has his leg amputated because it is the easier medical option. A coffee maker is put to use as a blood filter. Tom should have picked up the phone and given Jane or Jon a call during his long convalescence.