You Can Count On Me

2000

You Can Count On Me

Critics Consensus

You Can Count On Me may look like it belongs on the small screen, but the movie surprises with its simple yet affecting story. Beautifully acted and crafted, the movie will simply draw you in.

95%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 103

88%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 10,626
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Movie Info

Two siblings, orphaned at an early age, have grown apart as adults. Sammy, the older of the two, has stayed in the small town of their childhood. A single mother, she works in the local bank and leads a steadfast moral life with her young son. Terry, her younger brother whom she helped raise, has become a self-destructive roamer with a taste for the wilder side of life. When Terry comes for a visit, his mere presence begins to crack the veneer of Sammy's well-ordered existence. Each is uneasy with the person the other one has become; the one tangible thing that keeps them together is the family home left to them by their parents. It also becomes the meeting place of their hearts and minds as they struggle to reconcile their conflicting lives with the love that binds them together.
  • Rating:
    R (for language, some drug use and a scene of sexuality)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Kenneth Lonergan
  • Written By:
    Kenneth Lonergan
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $8,409,329
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    TSG Pictures

Cast

Laura Linney
as Sammy
Mark Ruffalo
as Terry
Matthew Broderick
as Brian
Rory Culkin
as Rudy
Jon Tenney
as Bob
J. Smith-Cameron
as Mabel
Gaby Hoffmann
as Sheila
Amy Ryan
as Mrs. Prescott
Michael Countryman
as Mr. Prescott
Adam LeFevre
as Sheriff Darryl
Betsy Aidem
as Minister
Whitney Vance
as Young Sammy
Peter Kerwin
as Young Terry
Hallley Feiffer
as Amy
Lisa Altomare
as Waitress
Kenneth Lonergan
as Priest, Ron
Nina Garbiras
as Nancy
Richard Hummer
as Plumber
Kim Parker
as Rudy Sr.'s Girlfriend
Josh Lucas
as Rudy Sr.
Allan Gill
as Older Cop
Brian Ramage
as Young Cop
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Critic Reviews for You Can Count On Me

All Critics (103) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (98) | Rotten (5)

  • Beautiful, compassionate, articulate.

    Sep 7, 2011 | Rating: A | Full Review…

    Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Entertainment Weekly
    Top Critic

  • Few films have explored the complicated bonds of love and resentment between brother and sister with such delightful honesty.

    Mar 31, 2008 | Full Review…

    David Ansen

    Newsweek
    Top Critic

  • The key to Lonergan's success? He has faith in the intelligence of his audience. It's that simple -- and encouraging.

    Dec 22, 2000 | Rating: 3/4

    Susan Stark

    Detroit News
    Top Critic

  • I never thought I would say this, but I am starting to think that Laura Linney may, in fact, be a very good actress.

    Dec 22, 2000

    Jay Boyar

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic

  • This funny and involving film presents its well-drawn characters to us pretty much the way we would encounter them in life.

    Dec 22, 2000

    Eric Harrison

    Houston Chronicle
    Top Critic

  • Gem of a movie.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 4.5/5

    Stephen Holden

    New York Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (103)

Audience Reviews for You Can Count On Me

  • Jun 25, 2012
    Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo are what make "You Can Count On Me" such an enjoyable movie. There is great chemistry between the two and their performances really enhance and deepen their characters. Kenneth Lonergan's direction isn't very impressive and his script isn't perfect, but there are moments of greatness in between moments of mediocrity. The end result is a film that is well-meaning and slightly sappy, but not maudlin or overly sentimental. It is designed to be a tear-jerker, yes, but because of Lonergan's subtle approach, it works better than most.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Oct 17, 2011
    Crazy that this film is 11 years old. I enjoyed it and it was great to see all these actors in this film. It was touching and real. It's a movie everyday people can relate to; feeling lost in life and still managing to go through everyday finding a way to try and make it better anyway possible.
    Nani V Super Reviewer
  • Sep 04, 2011
    A troubled traveler lives with his sister, who is a single mom struggling with bad relationships. This is a subtle, deft character study that features strong performances by the two leads. Laura Linney's trademark awkward strength -- exhibited here by her clearing a nightstand, everything crashing to the floor, then silently wondering if she did it correctly -- is on full display as well as her moments of giddiness, similar to the staircase celebration in <i>Love Actually</i>. Mark Ruffalo plays the troubled rebel well. I did think the film's pacing was too slow at points. And there are some moments in the narration when I wondered if the film had a thematic purpose. It doesn't; we just get to know some people during the film's two hours. An example of the film's stuttered narration: I didn't see the motive for Sammy to bring in the priest to talk to her brother, and the first scene had very little to do with the rest of the film. Overall, it's great to see a good character study, but a well-constructed story following it is missing from this relatively strong film.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • Apr 29, 2011
    I can feel the title emanating off of every move Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo make.
    Jennifer X Super Reviewer
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