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

The scene with Rudy walking home from school in the pouring rain was created by the local fire department spraying a hose from their highest ladder.

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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

Sammy: [to Terry] Are you out of your mind? You know, I admit I may not be the best mother in the world, but I'm doing the best I know how, and he doesn't need you to rub his face in shit because you think it's good for him! He's gonna find out that the world is a horrible place and that people suck soon enough and without any help from you!

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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

Featured in The 73rd Annual Academy Awards (2001)

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Soundtracks

85 On 85
Written by Kenny Roby
Performed by 6 String Drag
Courtesy of Monkey Cup Music / Warner Tamerlane Pub. Corp. (BMI)

User Reviews

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.