The Fundamentals of Caring REVIEW
It’s my fifth post already…I could have celebrated but there’s plenty of time to come. Hey, I could have chosen a film with 5 in the title but that would probably mean a dire, dire sequel so can we pretend that this film having an F in the title as the word five does was 100% intentional? Yes? Yes…good, I shall go on.
Ben (Paul Rudd) is having a tough time but he’s trying to get through it by succeeding on a caring course. Getting his first placement, he meets Trevor (Craig Roberts) who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Being in a wheelchair Trevor finds himself needing of care but he likes winding Ben up. They form a fun bond and organise a road trip to see odd sites of America.
Unlike the mostly bad ‘Me Before You’ movie, this film about a disabled character and the connections they have with others is much more heartfelt. There’s a definite sweetness yet dirty layer to this picture that keeps the interest consistently raised. It doesn’t feel like those white girl flicks where they aim to sucker you into crying into your soggy tissues, this film has fun with the disability and welcomes you to chuckle at Trevor who is genuinely a great character to root for.
The comedy that courses through this story is well timed, it doesn’t feel sour or forced. The running joke of faking drama is a lovely touch, the sneakers/mall moment is brilliantly scripted and played out and mostly this movie does a fine thing in having us find warmth within what could have been a bleak depressing tale. So when the few bits of tragic drama do hit the screen it impacts more than you’d expect. A flashback and pit side emergency go together in a very heart-in-your-mouth way.
There’s a great joy to be had watching this road trip narrative play out, there may be a couple of slow times but I’ve never got on board so much with someone wanting to pee standing up. The cliche road trip stops are there but a hinted romance and almost father figure give those stereotypes a needed nudge. Rob Burnett directs this Netflix feature in a manner that ensures you enjoy the characters, the decisions and the pay offs. He doesn’t steer the movie away from a formula we all know but in a way that helps the film feel comfortable.
Writing wise, this screenplay is quite sharp. Burnett gives the relationships smart one two dialogue that sparks the talking moments with fun and wit. This is of course helped by the wonderfully pointed delivery of Craig Roberts who makes Trevor an uptight lad but one with droll humour. Paul Rudd, as we know can play the funny man which he does in a way here, but he softens that side with a more subdued edge as a time in his past follows him, etched in his eyes. Together, Rudd and Roberts have a zing of chemistry that lifts the film from the sentimental pile it could have slumped on. Selena Gomez isn’t half bad either, swearing and smoking her way through the film, she provides a great addition to the travelling family and is enjoyable in her connection to Trev.
I expected much less than what this movie actually provided. There’s wit, heart, fun, beauty, music and a life to be lived mantra rolled into a ball of enjoyable road-trip antics.
7.5/10 or…
I love all things Tarantino and have a soft spot for sombre and clever films. Writing is what I love doing, be it screenplays or reviews, I hope someday my procrastination will dwindle and I'll finish something!
