You Can Count On Me (UK)

7 / 10
2 votes cast
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A single mother`s life is thrown into turmoil
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 111 mins
Retail Price: £19.99
Release Date:

Synopsis:
`You Can Count On Me` is an engaging, honest and funny portrait of a woman fighting to keep control of her own life.

Oscar-nominated Laura Linney stars as Sammy Prescott, a single mother who has lived all her life in Scottsville, New York. Now she`s raising her 8-year-old son there, enjoying the peace of the family home and the security of her job at the bank, blotting out any memories of Rudy`s father. But the illusion of perfection is shattered when her charming, self-destructive brother Terry (brillantly played by Mark Ruffalo) comes home for a visit.

Also starring Matthew Broderick and Rory Culkin, `You Can Count On Me` is a beautifully woven sequence of the small moments from which whole lives are composed. Deftly creating a rare study of siblings in adulthood, acclaimed playwright and scriptwriter Kenneth Lonergan`s directorial debut is a brilliant comic observation of human stregth - and weaknesses.

Special Features:
Trailer
Cast and Crew Interviews

Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 English

Subtitle Tracks:
English

Directed By:
Kenneth Lonergan

Written By:

Starring:
Matthew Broderick
Peter Kerwin
Whitney Vance
Halley Feiffer
Adam LeFevre
Michael Countryman
Amy Ryan

Casting By:
Lina Todd

Soundtrack By:
Lesley Barber

Director of Photography:
Stephen Kazmierski

Editor:
Anne McCabe

Costume Designer:
Melissa Toth

Production Designer:
Michael Shaw

Producer:
Jeff Sharp
Rachel Peters
Larry Meistrich
Robert Kravis
Julian Iragorri
John Hart
Jill Footlick
Barbara De Fina
Keith Abell

Executive Producer:
Morton Swinsky
Martin Scorsese
Donald C. Carter
Steve Carlis

Distributor:
Momentum Pictures

Your Opinions and Comments

7 / 10
A fresh movie set in a small american town. This is an independent film made on a very small budget but succeeded in winning many awards and critical acclaim. The story isnt twisting or anything spectacular. The movie is very character driven and in that aspect, the actors are a great success. Rory Culkin has since starred in M. Night Shyamalans "Signs" and Mark Ruffalo did do great in The Last Castle alongside Robert Redford. Back to this movie the plot involves a brother, Ruffalo coming to stay with Linney, a single mother. As time goes on, Linney`s life takes her into more trouble. She cannot stop sleeping with her boss(Broderick) but she doesnt want to marry her fiancee who is another person altogether. She becomes increasingly aware that Ruffalo is influencing her son, Culkin alot and then there are arguments and stuff. This leads to the engaging climax

The picture quality is decent for a film made on a small budget. There are times when the picture doesnt look as sharp as its supposed to. Also a few bits of grain. Sound also is nothing spectacular as the film itself does not need that much sound effects. The score is pretty decent. There are a few interviews and trailers but thats about it. There should have been much more for what is a great movie.

The movie is greatly intriguing and the characters are well developed. Its good to see Broderick doing roles such as this as well as his big budget movies like Godzilla. It shows his commitment to his acting. New stars are born in Rory Culkin and Mark Ruffalo. I wouldnt say this is worth owning as I wouldnt watch it many times but everyone MUST see it atleast once cos it is brilliant. Rent it or buy it if its cheap.
posted by dicanio on 4/2/2003 00:19