This November sees the release of the Apple/A24 collaboration Causeway, in which Afghanistan veteran Lynsey (Jennifer Lawrence) must readjust to civilian life after suffering a traumatic brain injury. The film is the feature debut of theater director Lila Neugebauer and its hard-hitting material and top-tier performances may make it an Oscar hopeful.
When audiences think "war movie," the image that comes to mind is typically that of visceral combat, but some of the best movies in the genre focus on what happens when the troops come home. Those who find that Causeway piques their interest may also wish to check out the following films.
The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946)
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World War II was the biggest armed conflict in world history, so it's no wonder that filmmakers took an interest in it even while it was still ongoing. The Best Years of Our Lives was an early cinematic take on the post-war experience, following three veterans who return home to find their lives, and America as a whole, completely changed.
Owing to its engaging storytelling and relatable themes, The Best Years of Our Lives was the highest-grossing film of 1946 and cleaned up at the Academy Awards. Among the things it's best known for is the performance of real-life veteran (and non-actor) Harold Russell as Homer Parrish, who tries to adjust to life without the use of his hands.
Born On The Fourth of July (1989)
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A biopic about the life of Vietnam War veteran turned anti-war activist, Ron Kovic, Born On The Fourth Of July was a critical and commercial success at a time when big blockbusters were all the rage. As the second film in Oliver Stone's informal Vietnam trilogy, the movie continues Platoon's look at the futility of war from the perspective of a disillusioned survivor.
Born On The Fourth of July's subject may have been familiar territory for Stone, but it was an early playing-against-type role for Tom Cruise. The movie remains one of Cruise's best, even decades later, and his performance makes all of Ron's struggles feel urgent and tragic, particularly during his argument with his overbearing mother.
Brothers (2009)
Available To Rent On Apple TV
A remake of the acclaimed Danish film of the same name, Brothers tells the story of Sam Cahill, a Marine captain deployed in Afghanistan, and his brother, Tommy, who cares for Sam's wife and daughters while he's away. Although reviews were somewhat mixed, the movie is a hard-hitting drama that effectively portrays PTSD.
The cast of Brothers all give terrific performances, but it's Tobey Maguire as Sam who does the most dramatic heavy lifting, particularly when he returns home. When his paranoia leads him to believe his wife and brother are having an affair, it's easy to feel for him, even when his anger makes him terrifying.
Coming Home (1978)
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Coming Home could be seen as the Vietnam generation's answer to The Best Years of Our Lives, being a home front story released when the war was still fresh in everyone's mind. Not only was the movie a favorite of the Academy, but it was also a commercial success, grossing over $32 million against a $3 million budget (via BoxOfficeMojo).
Following a military wife who has an affair with a veteran with paraplegia, Coming Home's dramatic weight comes from both its doomed love story and the 'Nam experience. When the audience meets paralyzed Luke, he's become bitter and cynical about the war, reflecting a common opinion of those who gave up so much only to return home to so little.
Cutter's Way (1981)
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An underrated neo-noir movie of the 1980s, Cutter's Way stars Jeff Bridges as Richard Bone, who is accused of murder and must clear his name with the help of his friend, Alex Cutter (John Heard). The movie was initially not a financial success, but positive reviews helped it develop a cult following, especially among fans of crime thrillers.
While Cutter's Way is not in the war genre, Cutter himself is a Vietnam veteran whose experiences have clearly taken a toll on his mental well-being. His motive may be sympathetic, but his paranoia and conspiracy theorizing often get the better of him, showing war's potential effect on mental health, even years after it's over.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Available To Rent On Apple TV
Released the same year as fellow Vietnam War film Coming Home, The Deer Hunter was a big hit with critics and audiences and won a laundry list of Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The story follows a trio of friends from a working-class Slavic-American community and how their experiences in a POW camp prevent them from reintegrating into society.
Perhaps the best things about The Deer Hunter are the performances, particularly from Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken as best friends, Mike and Nick. In addition, the infamous Russian Roulette scenes, while they have no basis in history, are effective illustrations of how war can destroy even those who survive, and sometimes even sucks them back in.
First Blood (1982)
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Based on a thriller novel by David Morrell, Rocky franchise.
In contrast to the franchise it spawned, First Blood is very character-driven and spends a lot of time developing Rambo, and even humanizes his antagonists to make their actions understandable. The climactic confrontation between Rambo and his superior Colonel Trautman is especially good, being very well-acted and showing the tragedy of the hero's service.
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
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A psychological film about a soldier desperately searching for the truth behind his bizarre, vivid hallucinations, excellent '90s horror movie that goes all out on surreal, disturbing imagery. Not only has the movie developed a rabid cult following, it features Tim Robbins in one of his early, and most memorable, lead roles.
Although a veterans' homecoming story may seem an odd fit for a horror film at first glance, in watching Jacob's Ladder, one realizes that war is the source of the greatest real-life horrors. Many things in the movie are likely to make viewers' skin crawl, but the thought of being horribly wounded in the middle of enemy territory might be the most terrifying.
The Master (2012)
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It's hard for many fans to say what Paul Thomas Anderson's best movie is, but The Master is often considered a top contender. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman, the movie tells the story of a directionless man who s a movement called "The Cause" and soon becomes an evangelist for its enigmatic founder.
While best known as an examination of cults, The Master also touches on the post-World War II experiences of returning veterans. Protagonist Freddie Quell returns home dissatisfied, making it understandable that he would fall in with a charismatic figure who promises to change his life, but can't possibly deliver.
Rolling Thunder (1977)
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A vigilante movie following Charles Rane, a Vietnam veteran out to avenge his murdered wife and son, Rolling Thunder combines military drama with an action thriller. Unlike many movies of its kind that underwent critical reevaluation, it was well-liked by critics from the start and remains a favorite of filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino (via BFI).
Produced during the exploitation boom of the '70s, Rolling Thunder proves that those films could be more than mindless schlock, especially with a script by Paul Schrader and an excellent performance from William Devane. Devane's acting in particular lends a sense of pathos, from his status as a former POW to the righteous anger driving his quest for revenge.
