a powerful and heartbreaking portrayal of what it be like to walk on egg shell in a household inhabit by an alcoholic husband and father . the story deftly render the awkward and secretive moral climate around alcohol and sex and and infidelity in post wwii america . unflinching in his lack of sensitivity and john voight nonetheless succeed in win a kind of sad sympathy for his post combat nightmare and his tortured reality . jo beth williams and annabeth gish and and ellen barkin give outstandingly move performance that could only be describe a remarkable . john garfield give a subtle and important performance in a wonderful supporting roll . this film be one of those sleeper that come out of left field and and knock me down . it be a noteworthy american film and tragic and touching and and ultimately triumphant . it be truly unforgettable .