Rarely does a movie snag me hook line and sinker like this one did. I was ready for something shallower and much less impressive, and found myself engrossed, in love with the characters and rooting for them as they navigate their shared journeys of self discovery. The story is surprisingly layered, and the performances natural and nuanced, to the point where I found myself quite emotionally involved. Heatwarming and refreshing - a great feel-good road movie with surprising depth.

The Fundamentals of Caring has likable characters, it just doesn't deliver as a comedy and is unconvincing.

Jennifer Ehle stood out in the limited appearance for me, as Trevor's mother. Because Trevor needs constant care and has no time to himself, I like how he has the poster on the living room wall and is watching some female television host as the norm. People seem to hate on Selena Gomez. Didn't mind her, the character's rather convenient for Trevor though.

Ben Benjamin (Paul Rudd) is withdrawn and struggling after a tragedy. He is avoiding his wife Janet who is desperate for him to sign their divorce papers. Elsa (Jennifer Ehle) hires him to care for her bitter, rude, sarcastic son Trevor (Craig Roberts) who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Ben and Trevor go on a roadtrip to see American roadside attractions and Trevor's absent father. Along the way, they pick up foul-mouthed hitchhiker Dot (Selena Gomez) and pregnant Peaches.

Paul Rudd is playing sad in this one. He still retains some irreverent aspects but his sad core suppresses the humor in the early going. Selena Gomez turns out to be the funniest one in the bunch. It has a group of broken characters played by appealing actors. It's aiming for quirky depressed heart-warming and it's mostly fine.