That was an excellent one.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Notable as one of the first cinematic attempts to explore the subject of the difficulty Vietnam veterans faced with both finding peace with themselves and readjusting to civilian life following their harrowing tour of duty while fighting overseas, "Heroes" boasts a fine and believable performance from Henry Winkler as Jack Dunne, a rootless and disaffected veteran who's suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Jack breaks out of a mental hospital and embarks on a cross country journey to reunite himself with his old unit buddies so he can fulfill his dream of starting a worm farm. During his pilgrimage Jack meets and befriends the sweet Carol (winningly played with real charm and warmth by Sally Field), who becomes Jack's sympathetic traveling companion on his odyssey to surmount his demons and reconstruct his life. Director Jeremy Kagan and screenwriter James Carabatsos tackle the subject matter with admirable taste and sensitivity; they thankfully eschew the usual crass stereotype of Vietnam veterans as crazed psychos in order to address them as troubled and pitiable human beings instead. Moreover, Kagan and Carabatsos do a bang-up job of mixing comedy and drama into a solid and satisfying whole. Winkler and Field display a spot-on appealing chemistry in the leads. Harrison Ford contributes a stand-out portrayal as Jack's happy-go-lucky pal Ken Boyd. Moreover, there are nice cameos by Val Avery as an irascible bus driver, Dennis Burkley as antagonistic redneck Gus, Tony Burton as a huffy diner chef, Olivia Cole as the understanding wife of a wayward soldier, and Michael Cavanaugh as the sleazy Peanuts. Further enhanced by Frank Stanley's handsome cinematography and an eclectic melodic score by Jack Nitzsche, this lovely and moving seriocomic picture overall rates as a real sleeper.

As with the general consensus, I was shocked to find the omission of "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas. Having originally seen this on t.v., the accompanying song had always stuck out in my mind. I assume copyright issues prevented the song from being used. Instead, we are subjected to a tone-deaf inducing song with horrendously awkward lyrics. As a whole, the characters were underdeveloped, and the acting was too laid-back. Winkler ("The Fonz" was one of my childhood heroes) and Field did not give it their all. As a buddy picture, it was an enjoyable watch. Otherwise, I came away with an unfulfilled feeling. Winkler is best suited for comedies.

The ending song is Carry on Wayward Son by Kansas, not Dust in the Wind. This movie is a testament to America's lost innocence. The Hippie movement during the beginning of the 60's gave way to the realities of war in the late 60's and into the 70's. The daily news shows were filled, not only with scenes of mayhem from Vietnam, but with scenes of violence at anti-war protests, civil, and women's rights demonstrations.They used Carry on Wayward Son in the commercials and trailers, however, when shown on cable, it is cut. Probably due to licensing problems - which is the usual bugaboo for movies/episodes where songs are replaced.

I'm glad I read the comments about the the song being different. I raved about the movie, including the wonderful end song, but when I bought the video tape, I was disappointed! I thought maybe I'd gone crazy. Maybe I have a little bit, as I'd thought it was "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas. Any idea why the theater played a different song than the VHS tape? Were theater owners given a choice? Because of this movie, Henry Winkler became one of my favorite actors. I'd always liked Sally Field. I was also attracted to Harrison Ford, my first sighting of him in any movie. I didn't realize until I saw Heroes again, 23 years later, that he was Han Solo! I cry every time I watch the ending. It seemed to bring home to me the agony of the Vietnam War. I was sheltered from the war as I was so young. My parents didn't want to talk about it, and it just made me more curious. Years later, I worked with a woman who'd lost "the love of her life" in Vietnam. She couldn't talk without crying, the pain was still so fresh. Such a tragic time.