What cliche wasn't included? - The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) Discussion

[–] alfredvankuik 9 years ago

Yeah, this was insanely cliché. Expected more. I have no clue if the book is like this too. But it was predictable and cliché from beginning to end.

The interview, the whole Trevor character in itself is cliché, the reluctancy to the roadtrip, the eventual caving in, the continued choking & slim jim gags, the love interest, the random wacky hitchhiker character that doesn't add anything at all, the "I wanna visit my dad all of a sudden", the purely 100% evil dad, the predictable falling out between the kid and Ben, the fixing of that same falling out within half an hour through the magic of roadtrips, the flashbacks, the birthing scene and the ending.

I still enjoyed it because I'm a sucker for road movies, but this was pretty damn average at best.

reply

[–] blacknyellowsquid 8 years ago

I agree, too. I was willing to go with some of the clichés at first, but the birthing scene bring everyone together in a climax, renewing spirits and old wounds and blah blah really cinched it for me in a bad way. I realized then that they only introduced that woman just for that scene (I had even been wondering beforehand, what is the point of her character?)

I rolled my eyes at the love interest, too. How many times does that happen? Seriously? I mean this guy is a recluse and awkward around females... and on then on his first ever road trip, he happens to run into this hot young woman who needs a ride and ends up getting his first date/kiss all that, in a matter of just a few days? Ah, if life were truly that simple...and convenient...

I thought the kid for Trevor did a good acting job, though. Too bad he was given such clichéd stuff to work with.

reply

[–] fg400a 8 years ago

"the purely 100% evil dad"

Well, I guess if the dad would have become best friends immediately with his son and ride on a white horse to a happy ending you would have mentioned that as a cliché too :)

http://bestflashwebsites.blogspot.com

reply

[–] alfredvankuik 8 years ago

Because that would make him a purely 100% good dad :p People usually aren't that black and white. This was an overdone caricature of the rich *beep* father.

reply

[–] ToxikShok 8 years ago

I must live an incredibly cliché life then.

I've got muscular dystrophy, I'm a sarcastic smartarse who will kill a joke until it's only funny to me, never met my scumbag father either. I'd be reluctant to go on any road trip, unless I get to *beep* Selena Gomez somewhere along the way.

reply

[–] alfredvankuik 8 years ago

It's not cliché outside of hipster movies :p Really though, who would turn down a roadtrip? Roadtrips are magical. *beep* Selena Gomez is just a bonus.

reply

[–] doggie_rodriguez 9 years ago

I was disappointed that people rated this highly...

Why do people always worry about what other people rated it?

Your thread is as cliched as a thread that says "a 7.4 rating?????????????????"

Other people liked it more than you. It's not a big deal. So don't make it one.

reply

[–] shraashraa 9 years ago

Hmm, maybe. I guess I say I'm disappointed because this movie just doesn't have a second of originality, not a second. It offers absolutely nothing new. More than that, it's just reinforcing the same sort of story over and over when there are so many other stories to be told and I"m disappointed because it costs a lot to make a movie and resources moved in to this sort of movie means resources are taken away from others. Others rating it highly just means this story will be told again instead of the message getting across that we've seen this, do something else now. I was going to write to say, yeah it's not a big deal, but it is a big deal god damn it! Because growing up I never saw a heartwarming tale of an awkward looking, kind of a dick girl going on a journey of self discovery, or like maybe the abandoning father was really quite nice, apart from the fact he screwed up and left. Maybe, and I hope I'm not getting too crazy here, one of the main characters is Asian. Just one thing can be new and justify its existence.

reply

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] LiveYoLifeLikeYouMeanIt 9 years ago

Having read your original post, I had a similar reaction to the one by the preceding poster, but I understand where you're coming from now with this reply of yours. I find that I agree with you on more than one point with regard to the story of this movie.

And I realize that while it is definitely true that it resorts to a stash of cliches in order to keep the story going, it is sound on the other aspects of filmmaking. I understand you were expecting a more indie-geared, unique movie with priority given to the story. While this movie has a predictable plot, it is an engaging watch for the direction, acting and cinematography, all of which while still not groundbreaking, are potent. Personally, I find anything featuring Paul Rudd, a definite entertainer if nothing else. And here too, he carries the movie, along with the commendable acting of Craig Roberts. It's true that Selena Gomez's character is specially poor, as was the character of the pregnant woman. They were akin to mere plot devices that furthered proceedings.

I'll have to say that the chemistry between Rudd and Roberts was great, and as a result it made the characters more relatable and interesting. Add to that, the occasionally clever dialogue and the pleasant cinematography, it all adds to a rotund experience.

I do hope that Hollywood finds the courage to explore less conventional plot lines, and that is very important in the creative sense in order for this industry to expand it's scope and relevance in the near future. But I also do believe that not every movie has to be ground-breaking and brutally "real"; these kind of well made, well acted movies with simple stories shouldn't be ripped apart. There are a plethora of movies that attempt the same task and fail miserably, to even be watchable.

I fully agree with you on that we need more daring work out there, but this one ain't bad either, I think.

reply

[–] shraashraa 9 years ago

Yes, you're right that there are badly made clichéd stories and this wasn't badly made. I really like Paul Rudd and can find him entertaining if nothing else. I love you man was great. Funny and looked at trying to find friends as an adult man which isn't often seen on screen even though it's a common experience. It's not that I think we need something raw or gritty, there's definitely a place for heartwarming easy to watch films, but this one just felt so formulaic it was like there was absolutely no heart behind it. I was disappointed people liked it as I felt like we were being manipulated, but reading the comments people appear genuinely moved and people with disabilities appreciated seeing a wheelbound character so maybe I'm just being a dick. I think what I really want is a simple, heartwarming story that can be universally understood by everyone featuring characters that aren't focused on the same white male characters because I think we're at danger of isolating latinos, old woman, young woman, Asians and everyone else as not having these relatable human stories. I think thats what im really disappointed about. Even if they made Selena's character average looking with just normal confidence issues, that might have been enough for me.

reply

[–] krupocin-1 9 years ago

I think what I really want is a simple, heartwarming story that can be universally understood by everyone featuring characters that aren't focused on the same white male characters because I think we're at danger of isolating latinos, old woman, young woman, Asians and everyone else as not having these relatable human stories.

You know I felt like you were starting to have an at least somewhat valid point until you started down this road. If a Latino, old woman, young woman, Asian, or anyone else cannot relate to a story JUST because a character is a young white male (who is disabled btw, you can check that box off your "define everyone based on age/race" checklist) or a middle aged Jewish guy, then they need to take a long hard look in the mirror. I'm a male but I'm non-white mixed race and I don't have any trouble relating to white men, Asian women, old Eskimos, or anyone else if the story rings true and the humanity is in the story. I don't mean to be a jerk, I just can't stand this dividing of people based on race/age/sex/etc. as if we have nothing in common. Believe it or not, most of the world (outside of a small portion of the Western world) doesn't go around every second of everyday defining everyone's action and experience based on the color of their skin. I get the basic point you're trying to make but I believe you're taking it to the extreme, and if you think most indie movies are based around the average white guy you really don't watch that many indie flicks.

reply

[–] TheBeardedWonder 9 years ago

Being cliche isn't so bad if it's well done or otherwise entertaining. This didn't even hit that mark however. Anyone who has seen more than a dozen flicks can tell where this movie is going 10 mins before it gets there, and it crosses that finish line in a mediocre way anyhow. This was melodramatic and just wasn't interesting enough to hold anyone's attention when we tried to watch it.

reply

[–] osubuckeye420 9 years ago

I unfortunately agree with the OP.

I wanted to like the movie, I really did. It was just way too cliché from start to finish to really stand out for me. I have a feeling that 2 weeks from now I'll have forgotten that I ever watched this.

It wasn't that it was particularly bad, it was just very unremarkable.

reply

[–] chiligirl-1 9 years ago

Well, Paul Rudd's character didn't have a love interest. That was a lacking cliche. =) See.. found one for ya.

Maybe poker's just not your game, Ike. I know, let's have a spelling contest.

reply

[–] italianpride17 9 years ago

I can't wait to see you're highly original movie on the screen...oh wait.

Those who can't teach, those who can't teach are critics....

reply

[–] Tokyo1013 8 years ago

Italianpride17 - I know. These hosers know "everything" about a movie, but you'll never see one of them make a movie. I bet if they did, we could pick out cliche's very easily.....

reply

[–] seansshack 9 years ago

The term cliche has become a tired, worn out, cliche for people who have forgotten how to enjoy film.

reply

[–] ciocio-2 9 years ago

I rather liked this little movie, and if it was, indeed, riddled with clichés, that didn't bother me, unlike with a movie like, say, LOVE, ACTUALLY, which was just offensive to my critical faculties. I find it interesting, the quality and stature of some of the actors in this film, like Jennifer Ehle, Theatre World Award, and two-time Tony Award winning actress, Paul Rudd, Bobby Cannavale, Frederick Weller, etc. I also really enjoyed Craig Roberts, Selena Gomez, and Megan Ferguson. The fact that all these folks committed to this movie says something good about it, I think.

By the way, if everyone is going to talk about clichés and things being clichéd, let's spell it right, ok? You can achieve the "é" by pressing "alt" and typing 1,3,0 in the numeric pad (near the bottom right of the keyboard, at least on my laptop it is). That's it, I'll be quiet now.

Just make a movie that makes me care, one way or another. I'm open.

reply

[–] drtturner 9 years ago

Unlike movies like Good Will Hunting, Me Before You and The Intouchibles, this would have its work cut out for it, but rather than shy away and gain new ground it seemed content to go down the now hackneyed path unabashedly. Part of my complaint comes from the boy who from the very onset does his thing followed by what is supposed to be a disarming smile. A smile that we see time and time again and most notably surrounded by awkward feces changing jokes, awkward, unless you are into that sort of thing. So the problem is unlike Damon's portrayal in GWH or other characters in similar films it all happens so fast that it seems forced. The character and I dare say the actor portraying him built up little to no cache yet we are supposed to ride and die with this stranger from the opening scene. While his smile may or may not have been genuine, it was presumptive. Also, I was able to predict most scenes 30 seconds before they happened.

reply

[–] Tokyo1013 8 years ago

Idiot grammar Nazi's. Like the online community first gives a *beep* about spelling, and second, give a *beep* about your thoughts on it.....

reply

[–] ciocio-2 8 years ago

You made clear that you don't care about such matters, so you won't care that your first not-quite-sentence actually says "Idiot grammar Nazi is." I was offering helpful information on how to spell the word that people clearly want to use. Of course, no one, including you, has to choose to use that information.

Just make a movie that makes me care, one way or another. I'm open.

reply

[–] Tokyo1013 8 years ago

You sure are proud of yourself. Hope you're not religious.....

reply

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

Hey thanks Grammar nazi! I was wondering why the alt-chr# method didnt work anymore yesterday - i wasnt using the keypad! d'oh!

reply

[–] olliemankz 8 years ago

The cliche in which the disabled guy looks like he's faking a life-threatening episode only to really be in a life-threatening situation and die ... in answer to your question, Which cliche wasn't included.

reply

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

yep , the cry-wolf "cliche" , totally avoided

reply