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:

You Can Count on Me

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$118,170, 12 November 2000

Gross USA:

$9,416,804

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,242,521

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

Matthew Broderick, a friend of Kenneth Lonergan's, was the first actor cast in this movie. He visited Lonergan at his apartment, read the part of Brian, and asked if he could audition for it. Lonergan then told him the part was already his.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Rudy: Who are you talking about?
Terry: Some wild kids we used to know.
Rudy: Were you a wild kid?
Terry: Not as wild as your mom.
Rudy: Yeah, right...
Terry: Oh, you don't believe me?
Rudy: No.
Terry: Ask her.
Rudy: Mom, were you?
Sammy: [long pause] No comment.

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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 There's Something About Movies: Episode #1.3 (2019)

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Soundtracks

Long Way To Go
Written and Performed by Sue Foley
Published by Mechanicsville Music (ASCAP)
Administered by Bug Music, Inc.
Courtesy of Shanachie Records

User Reviews

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!!