The War at Home

“The War at Home,” released in 1996, is a gripping and revealing film about the effects of the Vietnam War on American families even after it was over.

Jeremy, played by Emilio Estevez, returns home as a decorated veteran in 1972. However, he’s unable to put behind the torture of his war experiences that he keeps reliving. Jeremy’s father Bob, played by Martin Sheen, a car dealer, wants him to get a job. His suburban mom, played by Kathy Bates, insists on treating him like a ten-year-old who needs some discipline. His sister Karen, played by Kimberly Williams, criticizes his selfishness and calls him a “weirdo.” On top of all of this, Jeremy’s girlfriend, played by Carla Gugino, lets him know that she’s living with another person.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat noted in their review, “Emilio Estevez does a fine job directing The War at Home which has been adapted from a play by James Duff.” The family just doesn’t have the patience, compassion, and understanding to live with the reality of their son who suffered PTSD in a senseless war. Ironically, the meltdown which separates Jeremy from his parents and sister takes place on Thanksgiving.

I remember seeing a little bit of this movie a long time ago on TV. I was shocked at how the son was acting to his family and I was thinking he had a serious drinking issue, since we do see Jeremy drinking in the movie. Then, years later, I looked up on the internet what the movie was. I remembered Martin Sheen was in it, but I didn’t know that he had starred in it along with his son, Emilio Estevez. Yesterday, I ended up watching the entire movie and it was quite an emotional movie.

For a movie that is supposed to be Thanksgiving themed, this is one movie that will really hit you in the feels. Even though Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen had starred in movies that took place during the Vietnam War (Apocalypse Now and Platoon, respectively), this movie is a very underrated film. Even though the other two are more famous and better recognized, “The War at Home” should not be swept under the rug. You should definitely see it because it will really show you the effects of PTSD and how people couldn’t deal with it back then. I only need to see this once and never again because of how emotional it is, but if you end up watching this again after one time, you have more willpower than I do.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope everyone will have a blessed dinner and spending some time with the family, as I know it is something we all need. Just be safe and enjoy a holiday that I feel is continuously being overlooked, which it shouldn’t be.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the finale of “Benicio Del Toro Month.”