Watch When I Came Home

When I Came Home is a compelling documentary that tells the story of homeless veterans in New York City. Directed by Dan Lohaus and produced by B.J. Bullert, the film provides a raw and honest portrayal of the struggles faced by those who have served their country and come home to find themselves without a roof over their heads. The film centers around the lives of three homeless veterans: Nicole Goodwin, Anthony Manto, and Herold Noel Jr. Nicole served in the Navy during the Gulf War and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anthony was a medic in the Army and was discharged on medical grounds after being injured in Iraq. Herold was in the Army and served as a heavy equipment operator during the Gulf War.

The documentary highlights the fact that while these veterans may have come from different backgrounds and served in different branches of the military, they all have one thing in common - they are struggling to readjust to civilian life and have ended up homeless as a result.

The filmmakers follow each of the veterans as they navigate the harsh realities of life on the streets. They capture the struggles they face just to survive, from finding a place to sleep to getting a hot meal. They also document their efforts to get back on their feet, whether it be through finding employment, battling addiction or trying to access the support services available to them.

Throughout the film, we see the veterans' frustration with the system and the lack of support available to them. They describe their experiences with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which they see as slow, bureaucratic and unresponsive to their needs. They also talk about the stigma attached to being homeless, and the way they are often treated as second-class citizens by the wider community.

Despite these challenges, When I Came Home is an uplifting and inspiring film. We see the veterans supporting each other, sharing their stories and working together to find solutions to their problems. We also see the incredible resilience and determination of each of the veterans as they fight to overcome their struggles and rebuild their lives.

The film also highlights the work of organizations such as Soldier On, which provide support and services to homeless veterans. We see the positive impact that these organizations have on the veterans, and the way they help to restore their sense of dignity and self-worth.

Ultimately, When I Came Home is a powerful and important film that shines a light on an often-overlooked issue facing our society. It is a call to action, urging us all to do more to support the men and women who have served our country and are now struggling to make ends meet. With its powerful message and emotional impact, this is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

When I Came Home is a 2006 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2.