When a traumatized homeless vet catches a glimpse of his Vietnamese fiance who he believed died in the war, he is driven to try for one, last improbable chance at happiness, only to discover that she is unwilling to risk ever falling in love again. 

SYNOPSIS:

DOC BAND-AID

Bob Bland

323.775.7617 - bobeblue@sbcglobal.net

"Left Behind" is a character-driven period drama/romance written tonally in the vein of "Manchester by the Sea" and "Brooklyn."

Vietnam. 1969. On the way into combat, U.S. Army medic FRANK “DOC BAND-AID” STEWART (20) witnesses the obliteration of his Vietnamese fiancé’s village. Devastated, he assumes TAM (18), is dead. During combat, he and his best friend, fellow medic “PT” Rosen (22), heroically try to save as many men as possible.

Venice Beach, CA. 1979. Frank (now 32) is homeless, wears a ponytail, and is suicidal. He hangs out with army buddies, patches their wounds, and draws pictures. VINO cautions him he needs to take care of himself. One day he is stunned to see a Vietnamese woman. He finds out she runs a market and feeds the homeless. Frank vows to find out who she really is.

He is soon shocked to spot a scar on the woman’s arm from a wound he once bandaged in Vietnam. Knowing that this is Tam (now 30) but feeling unworthy of her love, Frank slowly summons the courage to approach her. But she rejects him, convinced he abandoned her in Vietnam. Frank explains what really happened that day and Tam begins to soften. They start to rebuild their relationship. Tam invites Frank to sell his artwork at her market and he volunteers to help fix and paint broken grocery shelves. But Frank does not realize she has a boyfriend.

One night at a gathering, Frank learns Tam is engaged to JIN HO, a Chinese doctor. Crushed and headed for the door, Frank sees an unfinished drawing of Tam he started back in Vietnam. He realizes what they once had still matters. Tam confides she never gave up hope and Frank declares, like the drawing, their story is unfinished. At Tam's urging, Frank agrees to stay in the market storeroom at night but, wanting more, asks about her engagement ring. Tam pleads for time to sort things out. She encourages Frank to get his work to an art gallery and suggests he cut his ponytail. But Frank declines. Jin, anxious about Frank’s presence, wants to hurry up with the wedding. POTTER, the gallery curator, tells Frank his art lacks emotion. Frank, devastated and feeling even more unworthy of Tam’s love, returns to the street. But Vino tell him to go back to Tam. He does, but she rebukes him for disappearing, just like he once did in Vietnam. Frank now realizes he cannot convince Tam he would never leave her. He confesses he grew a ponytail to honor PT, feeling it was his fault that PT died in combat. Frank now agrees to let Tam cut and wash his hair. During the washing, their touch turns passionate. Tam pulls back, fearful she might lose Frank again. Knowing he cannot possibly make her feel safe, Frank leaves in defeat.

Back on the street, Frank knows he must move on with life, whether he ever reunites with Tam or not. Realizing he and his buddies are emotionally trapped in the past, he encourages everyone to confront their demons. Everyone, including Frank, tells their stories with Frank relating the details of how he had to leave PT on the battlefield. Frank determines to delve deeper into his art. The guys accompany him back to the gallery. Potter is moved but says there is not enough art for a show. Everyone convinces him they have plenty and get to work on their projects, all expressing the traumas from their past that they are finally confronting so they can begin moving forward with their lives. Frank gets an invitation to Tam, hoping she will attend but she declines. At the exhibition, with everyone’s art on display, attendees are overwhelmed, especially by Frank’s painting of PT – “The Man Left Behind.” To Frank’s surprise, Tam appears and sees his painting of PT. He tells her he can now move on, having finally been able to share with her the darkest part of his life. To Frank’s great joy, Tam acknowledges that love has risk and confesses their lives together, though damaged and imperfect, are still beautiful. They seal their love with a kiss.