Directed by Kenneth Lonergan
Written byKenneth Lonergan

Ryan .... Mrs. Prescott (Rachel)
Michael Countryman .... Mr. Prescott (Samuel)
Adam LeFevre .... Sheriff Darryl
Halley Feiffer .... Amy
Whitney Vance .... Young Sammy
Peter Kerwin .... Young Terry
Betsy Aidem .... Minister
Laura Linney .... Samantha 'Sammy' Prescott
Rory Culkin .... Rudy
J. Smith-Cameron .... Mabel
Matthew Broderick .... Brian Everett
Jon Tenney .... Bob Stegerson
Kenneth Lonergan .... Ron (as Kenneth Lonergan)
Gaby Hoffmann .... Sheila
Mark Ruffalo .... Terry Prescott

Produced by Keith Abell (co-producer), Steve Carlis (executive producer), Donald C. Carter (executive producer), Barbara De Fina (producer), Jill Footlick (line producer), John Hart (producer), Julian Iragorri (co-producer), Robert Kravis (associate producer), Larry Meistrich (producer), Rachel Peters (associate producer), Martin Scorsese (executive producer), Jeff Sharp (producer), Morton Swinsky (executive producer)
Original music by Lesley Barber
Cinematography by Stephen Kazmierski
Film Editing by Anne McCabe

Rated R for language, some drug use and a scene of sexuality.
Runtime: USA:109

You can Count on Me
SOUNDTRACK Various Artists
1. Texas Eagle - Steve Earle/Del McCoury Band 2. Straight Highway - The V-Roys 3. Far Away You - Marah 4. Vampire - Bap Kennedy 5. Strange - The V-Roys 6. White Lies - Cheri Knight 7. Harlan Man - Steve Earle/Del McCoury Band 8. Mountain, The - Steve Earle/Del McCoury Band 9. Amy 88 - The V-Roys 10. Mendocino - 6 String Drag 11. I'm Still In Love With You - Steve Earle/Del McCoury Band/Iris Dement 12. Pilgrim - Steve Earle/Del McCoury Band

STUDIO SYNOPSIS:
Set in a small town in upstate New York, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME looks at a brother and sister who grew up together as orphans but now face life with very different perspectives. Sammy (Laura Linney) works at the local bank. Most of her attention goes into raising her 8-year-old son, Rudy (Rory Culkin), and drifting in a tepid romance with Bob (Jon Tenney). The first disruption to her dutiful routine arrives in the form of new bank manager Brian (Matthew Broderick), intent on whipping his employees into shape. Then Sammy's wayward brother, Terry (Mark Ruffalo) shows up after a long absence, and her happiness quickly turns sour when she realizes he has only come to ask for money--again. But with all the elements for a backwater soap opera in place, the story instead becomes a subtle portrait of good intentions and fractured relationships.

First-time director Ken Lonergan was already a noted Hollywood screenwriter (ANALYZE THIS), but he saved his screenplay for himself. Avoiding both big-budget maudlin and low-budget posturing, he steers COUNT ON ME straight to the gut with an artful balance of pain and comedy. A good number of excellent performances, especially by Ruffalo as the screw-up Terry, turn the film into a remarkably honest and moving experience.

Review by
SIMON REMARK
simon_remark@hotmail.com
Film Reviewer
Simon graduated from Trinity Western University where he studied film under prolific screenwriter Ned Vankevich. He prefers independent and lower-budget films.

Sammy's life is exhausting. She is a young, single mother raising an eight-year-old boy, Rudy-he's quiet and well mannered, she's a loving mother. They get along great. They live in the small town of Scottsville, New York. Life here is simple, picturesque. Or so it seems.

Her younger brother Terry is coming to town. Sammy's reaction to his postcard tells us that she misses him. She can't wait to see him. Terry is rough around the edges. Before leaving for Scottsville we see that there is tension between him and his live-in girlfriend-when saying good-bye, she tells him she loves him, he suggests she move back in with her parents. Terry's life appears to be a mess.

When Sammy sees Terry she's ecstatic. However, her joy quickly dwindles when she discovers that Terry spent some time in prison for a bar fight, and once again, he needs money. But when Terry finds out that his live-in girlfriend attempted suicide, he decides an extended visit might be a good idea. When Sammy suggests he stay for a while, he breaks down and begins to cry, revealing his inner brokenness. The scene displays Sammy's care and concern for her younger brother.

Sammy and Terry lost their parents to a fatal car crash when they were young. The film explores the different paths each has chosen; it shows that the tragedy uniquely affected each of them. Sammy chose to stay in Scottsville, in her parent's house. Terry chose to travel. Sammy regularly attends church. Terry has lost his faith in God. Sammy is financially stable. Terry is broke. And while they seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum, we realize that, perhaps, they are actually quite similar. Both are dispirited. Both are broken. Both are in need of grace.

Sammy is a fornicator and an adulteress. She has sex with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Bob, and her new boss Brian, manager of the local bank. She visits her pastor, pleading with him to yell at her, or get mad, something. Her pastor, however, is empathic. He doesn't yell. He doesn't get mad. He suggests that there is a reason behind every action, every behavior. We find out that her reason is she feels sorry for these men.

When Sammy first meets Brian, she can't stand him. Brian doesn't like the small-town style of the bank, suggesting there is no reason it can't function like a big-time organization. His first demand: Sammy must no longer leave work at 3:15 to pick her son up from school, she'll have to make alternate arrangements-even though she sacrifices her lunch hours to do so. But although Brian appears to be condescending, we realize that perhaps the bank is the only place he feels a sense of authority, it is the only place he feels important. This is revealed when we meet his wife. She is unpleasant, callous, and bossy. And according to Brian, it's not because she's pregnant. His actions stem from his need to feel respected; to feel loved and accepted.

Terry and Rudy develop a strong bond. Terry is just what Rudy needs: a man to look up to-he has never met his father, Rudy Sr.. Terry takes Rudy to a pool hall, shows him how to hammer a nail, and takes him fishing. Sammy, however, doesn't think Terry is a positive role model for her son. She thinks he's irresponsible. During one dispute she even tells him he "sucks!" But it is also evident that she loves her brother. Yes, Terry often makes poor decisions, but he has a heart of gold.

You Can Count On Me is a wonderfully written, warm and funny film about relationships: Terry and Rudy's relationship, Sammy and Bob's relationship, Sammy and Brian's relationship, but mainly Sammy and Terry's tender sister/brother relationship. At first Sammy appears to have it all together. Terry appears to be troubled. Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan has created real people, with real problems. Terry shows us that no one is perfect. Not even Sammy. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone is in need of grace, be it God's grace, or grace from others.

QUESTION
Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001
From: Tee Jay. from Michigan

Your review by Simon Remark does mention that Sammy needs grace. However, is it being adequately relayed by Father Ron (played by the author-director K. Lonergan)? Just curious about you opinion,
Tee Jay. from Michigan

EXCELLENT JOB
Date: Thu, 17 May 2001
From: Reuben

hi, i just wanted to say that I think that Simon Remark did an excellent job at reviewing this film and it really helped me.
Thanks.

VIDEO RELEASE
Subject: You Can Count on Me
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001
From: Carl

David, Since I have not seen the film, "You Can Count on Me" at any local theater, I wonder when it will be released on video; any idea? Thanx,

Response: Release Date: June 26, 2001