You Can Count on Me (2000)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Kenneth Lonergan

Writer (WGA):

Kenneth Lonergan (written by)

Release Date:

16 November 2000 (Slovenia)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A single mother's life is thrown into turmoil after her struggling, rarely-seen younger brother returns to town.

Plot Keywords:

Single Mother | Suicide Attempt | Mother Son Relationship | Brother Sister Relationship | Fishing

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 27 wins & 24 nominations

Cast

Laura Linney	...	Samantha 'Sammy' Prescott
Mark Ruffalo	...	Terry Prescott
Matthew Broderick	...	Brian Everett
Rory Culkin	...	Rudy Prescott
Jon Tenney	...	Bob Steegerson
J. Smith-Cameron	...	Mabel
Gaby Hoffmann	...	Sheila
Amy Ryan	...	Rachel Louise Prescott
Michael Countryman	...	Thomas Gerard Prescott
Adam LeFevre	...	Sheriff Darryl
Halley Feiffer	...	Amy
Whitney Vance	...	Young Sammy Prescott
Peter Kerwin	...	Young Terry Prescott
Betsy Aidem	...	Minister
Lisa Altomare	...	Waitress

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some drug use and a scene of sexuality.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L (original rating) | Iceland:LH (video rating) | South Korea:18 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:14A | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Margaretville, New York, USA

Company:

Hart-Sharp Entertainment

Trivia:

This was Rory Culkin's first major movie role. Lonergan was impressed on the whole with his acting ability, but had such a difficult time getting him to laugh or even smile on camera that he had Mark Ruffalo tickle him a few times.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The film is set in Scottsville, New York, which is in the far west of the state, south of Rochester. However, a sign is seen for NY Rt28, which does not run anywhere near Scottsville. This is because the film was shot in and around Phonecia, New York, through which NY Rt28 runs.

Quotes:

Sammy: I'm going to bed. You need anything?
Terry: [playing Rudy's handheld game, not looking up] No, I'm good.
Sammy: Okay. Terry... I'm really glad your home.
Terry: [stops playing game, looks up and smiles] Yeah, me too, Sammy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Long Way To Go

See this film.

I almost didn't know anything about this film, but when it came out on DVD, a lot of critics recommended it, so I checked it out. And - wow! A real little gem of a movie that perfectly blends drama and comedy.

The story may be slight (to say the least), it's basically just a couple of days in the life of a sister and her brother, and the people around them in a small town. No real beginning, and no real end, but a fantastic, original script, and some really great acting. Mark Ruffalo and Laura Linney (she gives one of the best performances I've ever seen on film) are both extremely likable despite their characters' flaws, and it fun to see Matthew Broderick in a different kind of role for him.

A film about ordinary people, living ordinary lives, all done in a near flawless way. Great script, direction, and acting - that's something you don't see every day, so make sure you see this one.