So I literally just finished watching "The Fundamentals of Caring" as I'm writing this at present. I don't have to take you on the long roadtrip into the plot line just like they did in the movie. You can watch it for yourself and see how things worked out. But of course, I have to make a point here considering you made your way, wanting my opinion on the film.
Well, it's not often that you get to watch a movie with the opening frame as something that doesn't really add up to the plot until you actually get to the end of the movie (You'll know what I mean when you see it yourself). Somehow, I found it a bit off in the beginning before they finally reopened it with instructionals on how to do caregiving. "A.L.O.H.A.," as the instructional voice-over had said. Only after they had presented that can you actually understand what the film will be about. Or maybe, at least just the gist of it.
Trevor, when first introduced in the film, kind of reminded me how Will from "Me Before You" reacted when Louisa Clark first came in for the job as a caregiver as well. Only, the difference between Will and Trevor (although there are plenty but this one is the striking thing that you have to note once you watch the movie yourself) is that Will is uptight and annoyed while Trevor was humorous and annoying. He liked to mess around and annoy Ben (his newly hired caregiver, with his approval). Probably why, in the first part of the movie, you can't actually feel pity towards Trevor because he seems like a fine asshole. And when I say fine, it's because his humor makes him look like he's not as pathetic as his condition would probably stereotype him to be. And when I say asshole, I just mean that he's not the type of sick person that seeks pity either.
At first glance, you would think that the whole film was revolving around Trevor because, let's face it, he's the one on the wheelchair. But as the movie revolves and more puns are fired into dialogue (and even in non-dialogue situations), it's more about the person caring or the care-giver rather than the people who are being cared for. It's about "care" in its most intricate sense.
It's about Ben's care for Trevor but also for his lack of care for his son. It's about Trevor's mother and her care towards her son, especially since she was most doubtful about the trip they would be having across the state but wanted nothing but her son's happiness. The lack of care that Trevor's father had for him (and how shitty it is to give a handicapped person money... Like I said, it's not about the pity. Trevor doesn't even want pity). It's also about Ben's care ultimately for other people in general. He picked up Dot and Peaches during their way on the road. Then, we see Dot's father as well, showing concern for Dot and taking her to where she wants to go on the rest of the way.
And the final reveal, lo and behold, was when Peaches was giving birth down the pit. Ben's memory flashing back and forth as he tried to help Peaches deliver, I'd say that the film was trying to indicate that there's nothing more that could measure care than that of a parent towards his/her child. It was even said so when Peaches asked Ben about having children. It's everything sappy and emotional you could ever imagine and more.
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