The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)

A man suffering an incredible amount of loss enrolls in a class about care-giving that changes his perspective on life.

Director:

Rob Burnett

Writers:

Rob Burnett (screenplay), Jonathan Evison (novel)

Stars:

Craig Roberts, Paul Rudd, Selena Gomez

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alex Huff	...	Jodi
Donna Biscoe	...	Caregiving Instructor
Paul Rudd	...	Ben Benjamin
Julia Denton	...	Janet
Jennifer Ehle	...	Elsa
Craig Roberts	...	Trevor
Ashley White	...	Cute Travel Channel Girl
Matthew Pruitt	...	TV Reporter
Alan Boell	...	Courier
Selena Gomez	...	Dot
Bill Murphey	...	Mike
Robert Walker Branchaud	...	Burly Helper
Eric Singer	...	Burly Helper #2
James Donadio	...	Waiter
Megan Ferguson	...	Peaches

Storyline

A writer (Paul Rudd) retires after a personal tragedy and becomes a disabled teen's caregiver. When the two embark on an impromptu road trip, their ability to cope is tested as they start to understand the importance of hope and friendship.

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Plot Keywords:

road trip | caregiver | handicapped person | teenage boy in wheelchair | abandoned by father | 

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Taglines:

Caring is a funny thing.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Page

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 June 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amizades Improváveis

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Levantine Films, Worldwide Pants

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer/Director Rob Burnett said "Once you get Paul Rudd you've got a movie."

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Goofs

After exiting his father's office, Trevor isolates himself on the parking lot to cry (1:07). When Ben looks at him, we clearly see the rear wheels of Trevor's wheelchair turned sideways. On the next plan, they're turned ahead.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Caregiving Instructor: Caregiving is not just about feeding and clothing and cleaning. It is also about understanding how to navigate a complicated relationship between those who give care, and those who are in need of it. If you find yourself lost, frustrated, confused, you can always come back to this helpful mnemonic device: ALOHA. Ask, Listen, Observe, Help, Ask again.
Caregiving Instructor: The fundamentals of caregiving are to give care... but not care too much. If you truly want a lasting career in caregiving, you'll ...

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Soundtracks

We Are Fine
Written by Sharon Van Etten and Aaron Dessner
Performed by Sharon Van Etten
Courtesy of Jagjaguwar Records
By arrangement with Bank Robber Music

User Reviews

Netflix Originals are gonna get better if they keep doing this.

The Fundamentals of Caring is a good film. I've never seen Paul Rudd in a drama before, but he surely did nail this role. His character is a caretaker for children, and he starts caring for a handicapped boy who shares his thoughts about family. I've never seen a Netflix Original movie, excluding Calibre, that I can actually call: "worth your time". Selena Gomez is also in the movie. Although her character is a little aggravating and hard to like, she does fulfill her character arcs and grows from a broken and traumatized person, to a fixed and light-hearted person in the end. This goes for all the characters In the film as well. I also admire how this film is based on a novel, and has no narrator. Films like Ready Player One and The Kissing Booth, have unnecessary narration. The Fundamentals of Caring does not have this though, which makes it more subtle and easier to love. This film is definitely worth the watch and I'm giving it a 7/10.