Overview
A poignant road trip reveals the bonds of friendship and the power of hope in the face of adversity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- bittersweet
- lazy sunday
- comfort viewing
What critics said
Critics generally praised the chemistry between the well-matched leads and its emotional warmth, while finding the coming-of-age road trip formula familiar.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ben and Trevor leave their routines behind for an impromptu road trip that tests their ability to cope and deepens their friendship.
Trevor’s muscular dystrophy shapes his daily life and relationships, while the story emphasizes his personality, desires, humor, and choices.
Ben begins as Trevor’s caregiver, but their journey makes emotional support and personal growth flow in both directions.
Ben’s personal tragedy and Trevor’s disability are surrounded by dry exchanges, road mishaps, and an ultimately comforting emotional register.
Films like The Fundamentals of Caring, and why
The Intouchables
shares a warm, bittersweet road movie structure centered on friendship, caregiving, and emotional renewal
Little Miss Sunshine
shares a coming of age road trip, eccentric companions, dry humor, and sincere emotional bonding
The Peanut Butter Falcon
shares disability-centered drama, reluctant companionship, and a balance of comedy with poignant human connection
Movie Details
- Director
- Rob Burnett
- Release Date
- 2016-06-16
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (2372)
Cast
- Paul Rudd
- Craig Roberts
- Selena Gomez
- Jennifer Ehle
- Megan Ferguson
- Frederick Weller
- Julia Denton
- Alex Huff
- Samantha Huskey
- Bill Murphey
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Fundamentals of Caring about?
- A grieving writer and a sharp-witted disabled teenager find unexpected freedom and friendship on a rule-breaking road trip.
- What is The Fundamentals of Caring like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Fundamentals of Caring as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Fundamentals of Caring violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Fundamentals of Caring.
- What did critics think of The Fundamentals of Caring?
- Critics generally praised the chemistry between the well-matched leads and its emotional warmth, while finding the coming-of-age road trip formula familiar.
- Which films are like The Fundamentals of Caring?
- Films with a similar feel include The Intouchables, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Peanut Butter Falcon.
- How long is The Fundamentals of Caring?
- The Fundamentals of Caring runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Fundamentals of Caring?
- In United States, The Fundamentals of Caring streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
