Review of The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) by Maya S — 22 Jun 2016

Adapted from a book, The Fundamentals of Caring revolves around Paul Rudd who plays Ben a former writer, now caregiver, who takes a job working for a smart ass teenager with a rare form of muscular dystrophy named Trevor (Craig Roberts). The film explores how the two bond and help each other in breaking down their walls Ben's caused by his own grief, and Trevor's own fears about breaking outside of his routine and facing his emotional baggage. Ben's story is told partly in obscure flashbacks that come to light later in the film.

Trevor's mother Elsa, played by the wonderful Jennifer Ehle, is rightly overprotective but eventually allows Ben to bring Trevor on a road trip when she leaves town for a work trip to Atlanta. The plan being to visit all of the landmarks Trevor has been hearing about. Road movies have a tendency to be stereotypical in the sense that they follow the same trajectory of events usually ending in some kind of epic love story. In this case the love story is about Trevor and Ben and their father and son-like relationship. The chemistry is so spot on and hilarious between Paul Rudd and Craig Roberts that it even works without dialogue.

On the way they meet Dot (Selena Gomez) who shines as a runaway, and a pregnant lady named Peaches. We discover the two women have their own baggage but it does not take away from the journey of Trevor and Ben. The two female characters are more the catalysts for Trevor and Ben to face their fears and get out of the emotional rut they are in. Dealing head on with the redemption of Ben and Trevor's own daddy issues and insecurities, their struggles are not sugar coated by any means and provide a wide range of acting by Paul Rudd and Craig Roberts.

The fact that it is a small cast adds to its charm, and is perfect for the levels of emotional ups and downs in the film.

Netflix is quickly pioneering as the new landscape of tv and film that is making it possible for indies like The Fundamentals of Caring to have access to a wider audience. That being said, as a fan of Rob Burnett's work for years, from television (Ed, Late Show) and film (We Made This Movie) The Fundamentals of Caring is a unique melding of his talents as a comedy writer and fllm director and I can't wait to see what he does next!