We had a chance to sit down for an interview with Doc Farrow, who co-wrote and starred in Saved Rounds, the story of an American Iraqi War Veteran who returns home to carry out one last mission. Farrow, who himself is a Veteran, is also a standup comic, and has acted in Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Good Place among others, and is Currently “Coach Wilkins” on Young Sheldon.
Darida Rose, UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): One of the messages of the film seems to be that continuing to smile is one of the most effective ways to deal with difficult situations. Saved Rounds is able to make the audience laugh, but also feel the profound pain Doc must experience. Could you discuss the importance of laughter in the face of this sort of pain?
Doc Farrow (DF): I’m a firm believer in laughter being the best medicine. When we were in Iraq, we had to laugh, make fun of everything, and take it as easy as we could whenever we could, because the severity of where you are, and what you may or may not be alive to see tomorrow starts to build up. As I continue to work though traumatic times in my life, laughter brings me into this present moment and reminds me to hold dear my experiences, without having to constantly relive it.
(UM): Doc’s mission seems to be one of honor. He carries out his task of
visiting Rod’s family, despite it clearly taking a heavy toll on him.
Could you speak about the importance of honor as a redeeming quality?
(DF): Being “Honorable” or to “have the Courage to Honor your Commitment,” is what would bring Doc back to the core principles of the love, respect and all that he had held dear… The core principles, not the outcome of Serving. The idea of not finishing a mission, (leaving something left undone), or Dishonoring his commitment, is a betrayal of Doc’s very soul. Honoring a commitment, he mends my soul. Walking through the gates of hell to finish what he started, is the brutal painstaking journey to glory.
(UM): Do you have plans to revisit the Iraqi War in future films?
(DF): A subdivision of my production company, “Doc’s office Productions” called “Half a Klick home” is dedicated in continuing to keep alive stories about the men and women who have served the Country throughout History. With Operation(s) Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring freedom being so close to home for me and so recent and prevalent today, it is a must that we keep going.
(UM): It’s clear that Rod achieves peace after Doc delivers his message to
Rod’s family. But do you think Doc is also at peace by the end of the
film?
(DF): As Doc carried so much pain with him for years working up to the courage to keep his promise, he had no hope of ever having love, a life, or a future, without that pain. It takes a long time to undo that much despair. Our goal was not to give him peace, but for him to let go of his despair long enough to see hope of a brighter future.
(UM): Saved Rounds was directed by John Finn, who most people will
recognize as an actor in innumerable films and TV shows. He does a great
job directing here. What was it like working with him?
(DF): John, who is also a Vietnam Era Veteran was nothing short of a blessing to have. When we brought him onboard, from the very beginning he knew what the story really needed and brought an enormous amount of care and honor in bringing the script alive. Because of his experience, and the Military resonance that cuts across generations and cultures, creating and collaborating became second nature. His understanding of both the character as well as the actor’s journey, also contributed to the sanctity of the production process.
(UM): Could you tell us a bit about the title?
(DF): It is a Marine Corps term, But I am not completely sure if it is used in the other branches, nor am I clear on its origins. But, with the Marines, whoever was in charge, (Sergeant, Gunny, 1st Sergeant, and myself as well) at the end of the day would ask “Any Saved Rounds?” Meaning, Have I forgotten anything, or is there anything that is left undone? Doc has been living many years with this torment and in turn hasn’t kept his promise to Rod… He has Saved Rounds.
(UM): Near the end of the film, we learn that Laurie’s father was a Marine in Vietnam and went through some heavy times. Is that one of the reasons Laurie is able to understand Doc? Do you think it’s possible for people without experience of PTSD to understand those who have it?
(DF): We were aiming for Laurie to have a deep and perhaps more unconscious attachment to Doc, and as she starts to hear and experience things with him that trigger feelings of her relationship with her father, she grows to understand why she is on this journey and how much she has understood, because she is the daughter of a Marine.
It has been my experience that a person’s ability to understand something in the absence of experience is directly proportionate to the willingness to see the similarities in their own life. Combat is specific. Fear, pain, hopelessness, paranoia, restlessness, anxiety, these are all things that are a part of the human experience. Understanding is more than possible.
(UM): What do you hope for the audience to take away from this film?
(DF): Understanding… compassion… Hope!
By: Darida Rose
© 2021. UniversalCinema Mag.