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

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

Featured in David Sedaris' story "Repeat After Me" in his 2004 book "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim."

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Goofs

The pancakes on the son's dish skip around from side to side in each shot as he and his mom are talking.

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Quotes

Rudy: Why are you smoking?
Terry: Um, because it's bad, don't ever do it.

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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 In This Moment (2019)

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Soundtracks

Faraway You
Written and Performed by Marah
Courtesy of Muskie Moon Music (ASCAP)
And E-Squared, LLC. / Artemis Records

User Reviews

To Settle Or To Roam

A sister and her brother, both grown, see the world in ways that are significantly different. The divorced sister and her young son live in the small town she grew up in. These are her roots. Nothing exciting happens here, but her routine life offers security and stability. One day her brother comes to visit her. The brother is something of a wanderer, moving around from place to place, unmarried, unsettled, looking for adventure. His visit sets up a clash between him and his sister and their different life styles: one sedentary, the other nomadic. In the absence of other siblings, and with both parents dead, each counts on the other to provide familial support.

It's the kind of film a lot of viewers can identify with, because most of what happens in the film is very ordinary: babysitting, plumbing hassles, time sheets, an annoying white-collar boss ... the stuff of everyday life. The emphasis is on contemporary realism.

Both Laura Linney (as the sister) and Mark Ruffalo (as the brother) were well cast for their roles. Both do a fine job of acting. The film's dialogue is realistic and believable. The country/western music is nice, but a little surprising, given that the story takes place in upstate New York.

If there is a downside to the film it is that it gets off to a slow start. Also, the story comes across at times like a soap opera.

Since the brother and sister have no other adult family, the film's theme is the same as its title: "You Can Count On Me". The story tugs at your heartstrings, especially with that poignant ending.

Because of its relevant, contemporary premise, its character development, and the high quality in direction, cinematography, editing, casting, acting, and production design, this is a film that most viewers probably will find satisfying.