The Fundamentals of Caring is a comedic film that tells the story of Ben and Trevor. Ben is a writer who takes a job as the caregiver of Trevor, an 18 year old with muscular dystrophy. Because of his sedentary and not particularly riveting lifestyle, Trevor has become rather anxious and cynical, yet he has a fascination for road trips, and believes that he will never be able to go on one because of his medical condition. Ben makes it his mission not only as Trevor's caregiver, but also his friend, to take him on this trip to see roadside attractions across the country. After initially refusing, Trevor gives into the trip of a lifetime. Ben does everything he can to help Trevor overcome the anxieties he has about the trip and allow him to experience things he felt he couldn't because of his being in a wheelchair. The two of them experience both life changing and challenging times, meet new people, reacquaint with old people, and ultimately learn to lean on one another during this great adventure.
I chose to write on this film after re-watching it on Netflix recently. I loved this film the first time because it turns a tough situation into a beautiful one that is filled with humor, new experiences, deep connections with another person, and hope for what is to come. I loved how Ben didn't ever plan on a job like this, but he ultimately ended up giving Trevor an experience that provided his life with greater meaning and purpose. It does a great job of showing that just because a person might be completely wheelchair dependent, this doesn't mean that they can't experience life to the same extent that someone else does. This film gives a great description of what it is like to not only experience a neurological condition such as muscular dystrophy, but also how having a condition such as this one can have a huge impact on how someone views the world, their own abilities, and what they can and cannot do based on what others have said. Like we have spoken about in class, this film really hits on the psychosocial implications that can spring from having any type of illness or injury. I would certainly recommend this film to anyone who is looking for a heart-warming and genuine comedy.
Burnett, R. (Director). (2016). The Fundamentals of Caring [Video file]. United States: Netflix. Retrieved October, 2016.
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