i really liked this movie. like, a lot. not that that surprised me - it had the makings of all my favourite films: life-changing road trips, loveable pricks, the blackest of humour and subplots dedicated to peeing. the fundamentals of caring was crude and heartwarming - exactly the way i like it.

mind the pun but this film had all the fundamentals of being a giant sob-fest. there's the dying kid and the man with the secret tragedy and the girl trying to find her place. thankfully, though, tfoc decided to say fuck all that and launched straight into broken characters who had either experienced or were experiencing shitty things but had more to them than their circumstances. they demanded no pity and instead forced their way into your heart with obstinate determination and humour as sharp as the metaphysical knife they wielded to slash through their grief.

to be honest, the story was a bit cliched but personally i would say that fell towards its favour. tfoc wasn't emotionally draining like a lot of other films that deal with sickness or dying. it flatlined in the best kind of way possible because it let you just genuinely enjoy the ride. my facial expressions didn't contort into side-splitting laughter or heart-wrenching tears. rather they found themselves in the content middle of the spectrum where they alternated between warm smiles, furrowed brows and surprised exhales of amusement. i sat here for the past 1 hour and 37 minutes and had a good time from the moment the first shot popped up till the end credits rolled. if this were a straight comedy movie, more likely than not that would mean the conclusion of my experience. but this was even better because it made me think. and it made me feel. its heartfelt-ness was quiet and unassuming and i'm so grateful it never felt like it was shoving good vibes down my throat.

i haven't read the revised fundamentals of caregiving yet and i hate myself for it. i can only assume it's even better than the film. except i've been a fan of craig roberts ever since i watched submarine so i'm kind of glad that i had the opportunity to get to know the tantalising character that is trevor through his lens. though, the real highlight of this film was getting to watch selena gomez portray grown up alex russo dealing with not receiving the family magic by running away from home, smoking, and unleashing the filthy language that we all knew was waiting to pounce behind her disney facade.

also, as an australian who has never eaten a slim jim, this has set my expectations soooooo high.

(born in 1998 and have a voice to share with the world? click here to find out how you can be heard!)