More effective than dialogue, the close-up camera shots of character's faces effectively convey the psychological suffering, the scars, brought about by exposure to war. The emphasis here is on life after combat, upon returning home, and the ensuing experiences, personal feelings and relationships, and the drudgery of everyday life. In particular, the film calls attention to the difficulties, hardships, and trauma that paraplegic vets are forced to endure, as a result of governmental neglect. The strength of "Coming Home" is its realistic portrayal of the emotional effects of war on individuals far removed from battle. And I'm just telling you that there's a choice to be made here. I'm a lot fucking smarter now than when I went. And I don't want to see people like you, man, coming back and having to face the rest of your lives with that kind of shit. And there's a lot of shit that I did over there that I find fucking hard to live with. I'm here to tell you, it's a lousy thing, man. Because there's not enough reason, man, to feel a person die in your hands or to see your best buddy get blown away. And now, I'm here to tell you that I have killed for my country or whatever. And I wanted to be a war hero, man, I wanted to go out and kill for my country. When I was your age, all I got was some guy standing up like that, man, giving me a lot of bullshit, man, which I caught.
That's all I want to tell you, because I didn't have a choice. And I'm telling you it ain't like it's in the movies. And I know some of you guys are going to look at the uniformed man and you're going to remember all the films and you're going to think about the glory of other wars and think about some vague patriotic feeling and go off and fight this turkey too. Because all you're seeing is, um, a lot of death. And when you get over there, it's a totally different situation. Luke Martin: You know, you want to be a part of it, patriotic, go out and get your licks in for the U.S.
Luke Martin: Sergeant, do you mind if I ask you a question?
High School Class Pres.: And now, with a different perspective, we have Luke Martin, combat veteran of the Marine Corps. Marine Recruiter: The Marine Corps builds body, mind and spirit.