THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CARING

US, 2015, 97 minutes, Colour.
Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Ehle, Megan Ferguson, Frederick Weller, Bobby Cannavale.
Directed by Rob Burnett.

This film might be called a humanitarian wry comedy drama involving a teenager with a variation of muscular dystrophy, visiting from England with his mother who is most protective for him. His father had disappeared long since.

This is a story of Ben, Paul Rudd, a writer, morose, his wife wanting a divorce – and the later revelation that their son was dead. Ben does a six weeks caring course and applies for the job of looking after Trevor, Craig Roberts, able to deal with Trevor’s criticisms, cynicism. Ben decides that it would be good for him to go outside the house, to travel, experience the world. Trevor’s aim is to find a pit leading to the centre of the world.

When his mother, Jennifer Ehle, does allow him to travel, the film becomes a road film, Ben taking his responsibilities seriously, Trevor always wanting to defy him. They encounter a young girl of independent mind, Dot, Selena Gomez, they give a lift to a pregnant woman whose husband is overseas in the military, Megan Ferguson. Trevor, one night, goes across the street to a diner, something of a date with Dot, something that he has never experienced.

After interesting and enjoyable ups and downs, they arrive at their destination. Ben notices that a car has been following, presuming that it is the mother keeping a check on him. However, it turns out to be Dot’s father (Bobby Carnevale) who wants to ensure the safety of his daughter.

The film is an entertaining mixture of the serious, concern about health, rite of passage, eccentric characters – and the story of the middle-age writer in emotional crisis.

1. The title? Carers and those cared for? Insights on both from this story?

2. A road trip with a difference? Purpose, achievement?

3. The introduction to Ben, Paul Rudd’s presence, his being morose, going to the six week’s training course on caring, getting a certificate? The gradual revelation of his son, the son and the shopping, the bag breaking, on the road, his death? Three years and the effect on Ben? The relationship with his wife? The divorce papers under the door, meeting, his not signing them, the court order, visitors to the door? His past writing, giving it up?

4. His assignment with Trevor, the meeting with Elsa, her jaunty behaviour, working in the bank, coping with her son, coming from England, the flight? His always being within a short distance at home? Ben and his hopes?

5. Trevor, 18, and the wheelchair, muscular dystrophy, unable to himself, the need for a full-time carer, the practical issues, the medication, breathing apparatus? Intelligent, his mischievous attitude, the touch of the cynical? The interview with Ben, the toilet issues, his accepting Ben? His background, his American father, leaving when he was three, receiving the letters but not opening them, keeping them?

6. The initial interactions, Trevor and his pulling stunts, deceptions? Ben and his reactions? The collage of activities, toilet, dressing, waffles at breakfast, watching television, Trevor and his eyes on the women? The effect on Ben?

7. Trevor and his map, the focus on the deepest pit? Other American sites? Ben, the challenges, for Trevor to go out, a trip, his mother’s deep hesitations and refusal? Her having to be away for a week? Ben, the plan, covering all the necessities?

8. The initial hesitations, travelling the road, Trevor starting to look at the scenery? The interactions with Ben, his life, Trevor knowing all about it but pretending not to? The stops, seeing. Dot, hitchhiking? The issue of the meat stick, Trevor and his performance pretending to choke (balanced later by Ben and his desperation about losing the medication)? The diner, seeing Dot again, Trevor going out, not able to talk? Ben, talking, her fear that he was a pervert, his explanations, the cup of coffee, giving her a lift? Later seeing Peaches, the car broken down, her pregnancy, her husband in Afghanistan in action, wanting to get to her mother in Nebraska, agreeing to the lift?

9. Ben encouraging Trevor to invite Dot for a meal, the date, watching them and their interactions?

10. The talk in the car, the bonding?

11. Ben, suspicious that a car was following, thinking that it was from his wife, then Trevor’s mother checking? Later the encounter with Dot’s father, the discussions, his explanation?

12. Trevor and his decision to visit his father, not having seen him for so many years, arriving in Salt Lake City? His being a car salesman? The group going in, the demands on the assistant? His awkwardness, small talk, Trevor showing in the letter, his father explaining the Trevor’s mother had written all the letters, offering money, leaving, weeping? The reaction of the others Dot giving the finger? Trevor wanting to go home?

13. The visit to Rufus, the cow? No access for the disabled, the argument, the threat to get the media, awkward getting upstairs with the wheelchair, looking at the cow?

14. The group wanting to go to the deep pit, arrival, looking over, going down? Ben talking with Dot’s father? The emergency phone call, hurrying down, audience expectations? Peaches giving birth, desperate, Ben helping, remembering his son and his death? The birth of the child? The gratitude? The ambulance taking her away?

15. Ben borrowing the ambulance board, Trevor’s ambition of urinating standing up, the various attempts, the achievement at the pit?

16. The return home, the effect on Trevor opening up of the world for him, Ben being a father-figure, Elsa welcoming them home?

17. The entertaining epilogue, Ben writing, Anna being the carer, finding Trevor on the floor, not breathing – but a hoax!