I saw this movie the other night, knowing it was going to be one of those tear jerker independent types. I prefer watching these at work because I will weep like a little girl and I honestly don't like Wife looking at me like something is wrong, freaking unfeeling robot that she is.
Paul Rudd plays a caregiver who has just gotten certified and it is obvious right away something is wrong with him. He is detached from life, his wife wants a divorce and has wanted one for some time, but he cannot bring himself to do it. After completing his certifications to be a caregiver, he is placed with an older teen, maybe kid approaching 20-ish with muscular dystrophy. The kid is a bit odd in his sense of humor, but the two of them click.
Trevor, the boy has been living life in a very structured way, eating the same things every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, watches the same shows every day, and goes to the park the same day for the same amount of time once a week. Rudd's character, Ben, eventually challenges him to break the mold and venture out on an adventure. The mom is a nervous wreck, but she will be going on a weeklong training seminar for work, and that is when Ben tell Trevor it is the perfect time to go. Trevor has been obsessed with tracking where the hot chick from TV goes and reports, so Ben suggests they actually go and see these sites live. Along the way they pick up Dot, played by Selena Gomez, who I had not seen act before and she was quite likable as the runaway misguided teen. They also pick up a pregnant lady headed to her mom who's car breaks down. Trevor wants to give her a ride, if only to extend the time in the car with Dot, who he has a crush on.
The story is simple and quick, the road trip is the best part. We learn Ben's past he is having trouble with is he accidentally caused the death of his kid. He may or may not have put the car in gear and while getting the groceries out from the back, the car rolls back and we are to understand the kid gets crushed and Ben just gets to run towards him, and not do much about it. It is an accident or a manufacturer defect, but Ben has blamed himself, and only through the journey and opening up with Trevor does he finally forgive himself. The end finds Ben writing again, he was a writer, and he finally signs the paperwork for his ex-wife so they can move on.
I personally like little movies like this, even when I know I am going to cry a little bit. I feel like they teach something about being human. We need each other, even when we think we have this hard outer coating, it is good to remember we are human and we are better for it by celebrating life together.
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