The Fundamentals of Caring Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A sad writer becomes friends with a sassy disabled teen and a runaway, proving that road trips and beef jerky fix everything.

🍿 The Fundamentals of Caring: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Caregiver’s New Beginning

Ben Benjamin, a retired writer haunted by a personal tragedy, attends a caregiving course as a means to restart his life. He’s struggling with the aftermath of a family loss and is avoiding signing divorce papers. The class teaches him the fundamentals, but nothing can truly prepare him for what’s to come.

Meeting Trevor

Ben is assigned to care for Trevor, a teenager with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Trevor is intelligent, sardonic, and obsessed with roadside attractions. Their initial interactions are filled with dark humor and witty banter as they navigate the challenges of their new dynamic.

The Road Trip

Driven by Trevor’s desire to see roadside attractions and find his estranged father, Ben and Trevor embark on an impromptu road trip. They encounter various characters along the way, including Dot, a runaway, and Peaches, a pregnant woman seeking to reunite with her family.

Confrontations and Discoveries

The road trip brings challenges as they face unexpected obstacles, including confronting Trevor’s absent father. Dot reveals her vulnerabilities, and Ben is forced to face his past traumas. The journey tests their ability to cope and highlights the importance of hope and friendship.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ben Benjamin (Paul Rudd): A grief-stricken writer becomes a caregiver to cope with a personal tragedy and finds unexpected friendship and healing.
• Trevor (Craig Roberts): A sarcastic teenager with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy longs for adventure and connection, challenging his caregiver to see life differently.
• Dot (Selena Gomez): A rebellious hitchhiker running from her past, she forms a connection with Trevor and joins them on their road trip.
• Elsa (Jennifer Ehle): Trevor’s overprotective mother hires Ben to care for her son, but fears them becoming too close.
• Peaches (Megan Ferguson): A pregnant woman stranded on the road becomes part of their journey, adding another layer of emotional complexity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Trevor: “How would you wipe my ass?” – Trevor asks Ben this question during their first meeting to test Ben’s willingness to be his caregiver.
• Ben: “Care, but not too much.” – This phrase, said by the caregiving instructor, encapsulates Ben’s initial detached approach.
• Dot: “I only date assholes.” – Dot makes this declaration, highlighting her rebellious and cynical view of relationships.
• Ben: “I’m just saying that maybe you don’t have to hate everything so much.” – Ben tries to encourage Trevor to be more open to experiences and overcome his cynicism.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5 million
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Fundamentals of Caring Reviews

Personal Review

I really loved this movie! It wasn’t perfect, but it felt so genuine and real. I connected with Paul Rudd’s character, Ben, especially his struggle with loss. The road trip with Trevor brought so much joy and humor. The scene where they finally reach the pit and help Peaches was so emotional and heartwarming. It reminded me that even in dark times, there’s always hope and friendship to be found, and those things can pull you through.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Paul Rudd”
  • “Viewers who enjoy feel-good road trip movies”
  • “Those interested in stories about friendship and overcoming adversity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes including grief and disability”
  • “Some suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A surprisingly heartwarming film with strong performances from Rudd and Roberts, though the plot occasionally veers into predictable territory. The film’s strength lies in its ability to balance humor with genuine emotional depth. The journey, not the destination, is the real reward.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While well-intentioned, ‘The Fundamentals of Caring’ suffers from a somewhat formulaic approach to its subject matter. Paul Rudd delivers a solid performance, but the film’s attempts at quirky humor sometimes fall flat. It’s a pleasant, but ultimately forgettable, viewing experience.
• IndieWire: “Rob Burnett directs this small gem of a film about life, acceptance and caring, which is driven by the superb performances of Rudd and Roberts. However, some side stories come off as shallow attempts at tugging heartstrings and ultimately distract from the main theme.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the chemistry between Paul Rudd and Craig Roberts.: Most people agree that the film has a great balance of comedy and drama that makes it both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

Many viewers appreciated the film’s positive message and uplifting tone.: The general consensus is that ‘The Fundamentals of Caring’ is a feel-good movie that is worth watching for its heartwarming story and strong performances.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and funny movie that is easy to watch and is both engaging and thoughtful.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the novel ‘The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving’ by Jonathan Evison.”
• “Filming took place in Cartersville, Georgia, and was completed in just 26 days.”
• “Writer/Director Rob Burnett is best known for his work on ‘Late Show with David Letterman’.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Fundamentals of Caring?

The Fundamentals of Caring is available for streaming on Netflix. Check your local Netflix library for availability. It is currently not available for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. Check back as streaming options can change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Fundamentals of Caring, you might like these similar films:

• The Intouchables (2011): A wealthy quadriplegic hires a young man from the projects as his caretaker, and they develop an unlikely friendship, similar to Ben and Trevor’s relationship.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006): A dysfunctional family embarks on a road trip to support their daughter’s beauty pageant dreams, showcasing the importance of family bonds and personal growth, similar to the themes explored in ‘The Fundamentals of Caring’.
• Rain Man (1988): An abrasive and selfish young car salesman discovers that his estranged father has left his fortune to his autistic savant brother, and sets out to get a piece of it. As the two embark on a cross-country road trip, their relationship evolves, teaching them both valuable lessons about life and family.
• Peanut Butter Falcon (2019): A young man with Down syndrome runs away to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler, and is joined on his journey by an outlaw and a kind nurse, highlighting the power of friendship and self-discovery, much like in ‘The Fundamentals of Caring’.

🛒 The Fundamentals of Caring Related Products

• The Fundamentals of Caring [Blu-ray]: Own the physical copy of this heartwarming movie, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. A must-have for any movie collector!
• The Fundamentals of Caring (Novel): Dive deeper into the story with the original Jonathan Evison novel. Explore the characters’ inner thoughts and experience the journey in a new, immersive way.
• The Fundamentals of Caring Poster: Decorate your space with the official movie poster, showcasing the main characters and capturing the essence of this heartwarming road trip. The poster enhances any living space.
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Bracelet: A fashionable and practical way to show support for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research and awareness. All profits benefit the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. Help fund research!

🎧 Soundtrack

The Fundamentals of Caring features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Bright Whites” – performed by Kishi Bashi

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

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