The Fundamentals of Caring

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2:26

The Fundamentals of Caring

TV-MA

2016

1h 33m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

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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Critics Consensus

The Fundamentals of Caring gets maximum mileage out of the chemistry between its well-matched leads as it follows a fairly well-worn coming-of-age road trip route.

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Tristram Fane Saunders

Daily Telegraph (UK)

06/26/2016

3/5

It's formulaic, sentimental and the cast list includes Selena Gomez. But it's also one of this summer's most enjoyable lightweight comedies.

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Leah Greenblatt

Entertainment Weekly

06/23/2016

B

Death, taxes, the enduring adorability of Paul Rudd: these things, at least, we know for certain.

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Gary Goldstein

Los Angeles Times

06/23/2016

A strained, overly familiar tale of catharsis and redemption.

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Jamie Healy

Radio Times

08/22/2024

3/5

Emotional baggage carried by each of the characters does sometimes threaten to spoil the fun, but director Rob Burnett largely keeps platitudes and sermonising in check, delivering a fist-pumping pay-off that's so unexpected, it's sure to raise a smile.

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Bertie Archer

One Room With A View

03/30/2019

3/5

The Fundamentals of Caring sometimes feels clumsy with two left feet. But the central relationship between Rudd and Roberts shines through...

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Jennifer Heaton

Alternative Lens

11/02/2018

7/10

Fairly standard road trip comedy made enjoyable by some solid gags and a strong cast.

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Justin K.

@bootsyandbbyratemoofies27 Mar 14

The way a movie should make you feel.

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Xian A

@XmanNL Feb 1

Much better than anticipated. Tender and fun. Pretty predictable but light and enjoyable. The actor in the wheelchair was spectacular and always love Paul Ruud. Clearly not filmed in the NW. We don’t have boiled peanuts there. And no civil war era cemeteries either.

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Tavin R.

@TavinReitz1267 Jul 20

Thought the movie was amazing. It was funny at light hearted but at points had serious moments. This overall made the movie fun to watch

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amritha k

@RT24941341 May 4

I decided to be a single mother since my child was 15 days old. I can't even begin to express what this movie unleashed within me. I have never felt so understood, every emotion that I have gone through as a carer, as a nurturer. So grateful to the writer and every member of the team that made this movie.

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THE NASHVILLE I

@Nshvlleindie 02/10/2025

The characters are hard to warm up to. The movie gets better as it goes along, but the first 20 minutes or so are very difficult to get through. It's definitely a story where the characters lead with abrasiveness early and often, and it expects you to eventually love them for it. Overall this movie's a good watch, the characters just are tough to enjoy.

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Drew B

@RT87397005 01/10/2025

Sharp, twisted, witty, funny, deep, memorable.

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Rob Burnett

Director

Paul Rudd

Ben Benjamin

Selena Gomez

Dot

Jennifer Ehle

Elsa

Craig Roberts

Trevor

Megan Ferguson

Peaches

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The Fundamentals of Caring: Movie Clip - Followed

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The Fundamentals of Caring: Movie Clip - Meat Stick

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The Fundamentals of Caring: Movie Clip - Perverts

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The Fundamentals of Caring: Featurette - The Full Experience

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The Fundamentals of Caring: Trailer 1

2:26

The Fundamentals of Caring: Trailer 2

1:31

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Rob Burnett
Producer: Rob Burnett, Donna Gigliotti, James Spies
Screenwriter: Rob Burnett
Production Co: Levantine Films, Worldwide Pants
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2017
Runtime: 1h 33m

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