You Can Count on Me (2000)

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

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 30 wins & 41 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Amy Ryan	...	Mrs. Prescott
Michael Countryman	...	Mr. Prescott
Adam LeFevre	...	Sheriff Darryl
Halley Feiffer	...	Amy
Whitney Vance	...	Young Sammy
Peter Kerwin	...	Young Terry
Betsy Aidem	...	Minister
Laura Linney	...	Sammy
Rory Culkin	...	Rudy
J. Smith-Cameron	...	Mabel
Matthew Broderick	...	Brian
Jon Tenney	...	Bob
Gaby Hoffmann	...	Sheila
Mark Ruffalo	...	Terry
Lisa Altomare	...	Waitress

Storyline

Adult siblings Sammy Prescott and Terry Prescott have had a special bond with each other since they were kids when their parents were tragically killed in a car accident. That bond is why single mom Sammy, who still lives in the family home in Scottsville, upstate New York with her eight year old son Rudy, is excited to hear that Terry, who she has not seen or heard from in a while, is coming home for a visit. That excitement is dampened slightly upon Terry's arrival, when she learns that he, broke, is only there to borrow money. As adults, Sammy, who works as a lending officer in the local bank, is seen as the responsible sibling, while unfocused Terry is seen as the irresponsible drifter. Regardless, Sammy welcomes what ends up being Terry's longer than planned visit if only so that he can help take care of Rudy, who has no adult male figure in his life. Rudy has never known his deadbeat biological father, with whom Sammy wants nothing to do. As Terry - acting as the supposed adult ...

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Plot Keywords:

bank | single mother | brother sister relationship | homecoming | siblings raising child together | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Puedes contar conmigo

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$118,170, 12 November 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$9,180,275, 10 June 2001

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hart Sharp Entertainment, Cappa Production, Crush Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kenneth Lonergan, a first time Director, had protection from studio interference by his Executive Producer and friend, Martin Scorsese. They had met when Scorsese's then-girlfriend Illeana Douglas had auditioned for one of Lonergan's plays.

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Goofs

When Samantha is talking on the phone, the handset is not connected to the base and the base is not connected to the phone jack.

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Quotes

Ron: You know, Terry, a lot of people come to see me with all kinds of problems. Drugs, alcohol, marital problems, sexual problems, health problems
Terry: Great job you got.
Ron: Well... I like it. Because even in this little town, I feel like what I do is very connected with the real center of people's lives. I'm not saying I'm always Mr. Effective, but I don't feel like my life is off to the side of what's important. You know? I don't feel my happiness and comfort are based on closing my eyes to trouble ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Jeffrey Sharp would like to dedicate his work on this film to his mother, Virginia Sharp Albright, with love and admiration.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Ian McKellen/Kylie Minogue (2002)

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Soundtracks

G Major Suite for Solo Cello
(uncredited)
Written by Johann Sebastian Bach

User Reviews

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.