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You Can Count on Me

  • 2000
  • R
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
32K
YOUR RATING
Laura Linney in You Can Count on Me (2000)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:26
2 Videos
53 Photos
Drama

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

  • Director
    • Kenneth Lonergan
  • Writer
    • Kenneth Lonergan
  • Stars
    • Laura Linney
    • Matthew Broderick
    • Amy Ryan
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    32K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kenneth Lonergan
    • Writer
      • Kenneth Lonergan
    • Stars
      • Laura Linney
      • Matthew Broderick
      • Amy Ryan
    • 251User reviews
    • 50Critic reviews
    • 85Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 30 wins & 43 nominations total

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:26
    Official Trailer
    What Roles Has Mark Ruffalo Been Considered For?
    Clip 3:07
    What Roles Has Mark Ruffalo Been Considered For?
    What Roles Has Mark Ruffalo Been Considered For?
    Clip 3:07
    What Roles Has Mark Ruffalo Been Considered For?

    Photos53

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    + 47
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    Top cast23

    Edit
    Laura Linney
    Laura Linney
    • Sammy
    Matthew Broderick
    Matthew Broderick
    • Brian
    Amy Ryan
    Amy Ryan
    • Mrs. Prescott
    Michael Countryman
    Michael Countryman
    • Mr. Prescott
    Adam LeFevre
    Adam LeFevre
    • Sheriff Darryl
    Halley Feiffer
    Halley Feiffer
    • Amy
    Whitney Vance
    • Young Sammy
    Peter Kerwin
    • Young Terry
    Betsy Aidem
    Betsy Aidem
    • Minister
    Rory Culkin
    Rory Culkin
    • Rudy
    J. Smith-Cameron
    J. Smith-Cameron
    • Mabel
    Jon Tenney
    Jon Tenney
    • Bob
    Gaby Hoffmann
    Gaby Hoffmann
    • Sheila
    Mark Ruffalo
    Mark Ruffalo
    • Terry
    Lisa Altomare
    • Waitress
    Kenneth Lonergan
    Kenneth Lonergan
    • Ron
    Nina Garbiras
    Nina Garbiras
    • Nancy
    Richard Hummer
    • Plumber
    • Director
      • Kenneth Lonergan
    • Writer
      • Kenneth Lonergan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews251

    7.532.2K
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    Featured reviews

    PDNickz

    I really don't know where to begin.

    I don't. This is just one of Those Movies, y'know? Shot for shot it's great. The cinematography definitely knows what it's doing and it's VERY mindful of itself in such a way that we can ignore it if we're not paying attention to it. As such, the camera steps out of the way and we're free to absorb the story, as simple as it may be. Man... I honestly loved this movie. The acting was top-notch, the principles were great and everyone else was cast so perfectly that every second of the film just falls into place. Just go see it. Please. Mark Ruffalo gives a fantastic performance as an Unfamous, Untalented Bob Dylan. The script is not heavy-handed. It's charming without being aware of itself. It's just a really really good film in the style of good films (re: The Sweet Hereafter) that's going the way of the dodo under the weight of these iconoclastic Hollywood heavy hitters (re: Shaymalan et al). Such a good film. So good.
    10smakawhat

    Acting par excellence

    This movie centres on a brother and sister. Samantha lives in a small town going through the routine of life, when suddenly she finds out her brother Terry is coming to visit again after a long absence. However, we soon find out from these 2, that not everything in their lives are perfect.

    This movie has the most engaging characters I have ever seen. The two actors, Laura Linney and Marc Ruffalo, I could have just sat and listened to them all day talking about their lives. It is that good. Marc Ruffalo has this charisma and screen presence and makes his character come alive like no other person I have seen on film 'ever'. These people are so real in this film it is unbelievable.

    The movie is charming, witty, heartwarming, unpredictable, VERY funny, and so great. You leave the theatre wondering what well become of these 2 and their trials, and they seem like people you know. The great thing also is the film is not sappy, or has predictable plot holes, or a serious climax that you are waiting for to erupt. It just unfolds so perfectly.

    Great film (must see)

    10 out of 10
    10almaier

    A breath of fresh air

    It's like a breath of fresh air to see a drama driven by characters rather than by a typical Hollywood plot. If this were any other drama, someone would get cancer, the little boy would go missing, the stars would look like supermodels, and the characters would talk with a screenwriter's emotional phrase. Here, the characters think, act and talk like real people. They could be us. That's the genius of this movie. If you want fantasy, don't see this film. If you want to be touched by great acting and a wonderful plot that shows the complexities of human relationship, see this film. This isn't Terms of Endearment, Steel Magnolias or One True Thing. This is real.
    9m_madhu

    quite refreshing ...

    you can count on me is a truly refreshing movie. the most enchanting aspect of the movie is its true to life characters and brilliant acting.

    the characters are human, there are no angels here, no evil devils - just real people, with real failings and real weaknesses, real moments, real feelings, real warmth, real stupidity ... you can count on me is a simple story that is beautifully told. a romantic movie, a family movie, a warm movie about human relationships, the complexities and the tender moments in between.

    this is an absolutely pleasant movie that has no corny moments, the background score is terrific, the acting is brilliant especially laura linney is quite extraordinary. there are many funny scenes in the movie, the movie is well-paced and the script well brought out, the dialogs are enjoyable. a truly fine movie.

    absolutely recommended for people who are pretty bored of the big budget fake hollywood scripts, with their outwordly characters. this movie is close to the heart.

    a refreshing 9!!
    10NormanThePig

    A Beautiful Film

    Originally written as a one-act (which manifests itself as the eventual meeting of Terry and Sammy in the restaurant) by stage veteran Kenneth Lonergan, 'You Can Count on Me' is an amazingly realistic look at the filial dynamic and relationships that come from the breaking and separation of family.

    Split from their parents at an early age, Sammy and Terry, the older and younger, respectively, are forced to rely on one another throughout their youths until Terry vanishes, travelling across the nation for a long time.

    When he finally returns, Terry finds that Sammy has built a somewhat stable life for herself in their beautifully provincial Appalachian hometown with her single-mom life and her adorable son, Rudy.

    'You Can Count on Me' boasts honest, believable dialogue and acting in like kind. Laura Linney's performance as the somewhat-restrained Sammy is easily her best, and Mark Ruffalo's as Terry is also highly evolved. The beauty of this film is that there are literally hundreds of places for the plot or action to derail and become an emotional sap-fest ripe with over-dramatic exclamations, but it stays right on track, always honest, brutal, and, ultimately, endearing.

    Lonergan has hit a kind of gold mine here. Fans of his hugely successful 'This Is Our Youth' will recognize his work here, as 'You Can Count on Me' is obviously kith and kin to it.

    Do not expect breath-taking special effects. Do not expect dramatic exlcamations or exposition. Do not expect the typical or mundane. This film is extraordinarily truthful in its telling of the boundaries we build for ourselves and the ones we love.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Kenneth Lonergan plays Minister Ron in two major scenes counseling Terry at Sammy's house, and then counseling Sammy in his office. Since Lonergan had a lot of dialogue in those two scenes, he turned over the directing to Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo, respectively.
    • Goofs
      The pancakes on the son's dish skip around from side to side in each shot as he and his mom are talking.
    • Quotes

      Terry: Put on your seat belt.

      Rudy: It pushes on my neck.

      Terry: What?

      Rudy: It pushes on my neck, it's uncomfortable.

      Terry: Well, when someone slams into us and you go sailing through the windshield, that's liable to be uncomfortable, too. Now, put on a seat belt.

    • Crazy credits
      Jeffrey Sharp would like to dedicate his work on this film to his mother, Virginia Sharp Albright, with love and admiration.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Beach/Snow Day/Holy Smoke (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben
      from St. Matthew Passion

      Written by Johann Sebastian Bach

      Performed by Rheinische Kantorei (Choir) and Das Kleine Konzert (Orchestra)

      Courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft mbH, Hamburg

      Under License from Universal Music Special Markets

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    FAQ20

    • How long is You Can Count on Me?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 22, 2000 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Puedes contar conmigo
    • Filming locations
      • Margaretville, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Hart Sharp Entertainment
      • Cappa Production
      • Crush Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,200,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $9,416,804
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $118,170
      • Nov 12, 2000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,242,521
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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