You Can Count on MeThis is quite a good film about two adult siblings who lost their parents early in their life. The result is a kind of chaos caused by their inability to establish an intimate relationship with anyone except each other. As Kenneth Lonergan describes it, this film is a dramatization of the fact that nobody knows whats going on.

The resulting story is a very touching and human drama about the brother, Terry, the sister Samantha and her 8-year-old son, Rudy. Samantha has established a responsible life, a career and a reasonable structure living in their parents home in a small town in the New York Catskills. Her brother, Terry, who is seriously irresponsible, returns for a stay and introduces disruption as well as barely suppressed floating hostility. But he also has a charming side and he and Rudy connect in a relationship that they both need. This is nicely demonstrated in a wonderful poolroom scene.

Laura Linney plays Samantha, Sammy. Her ten-year film career included a role in The Truman Show (1998). She is a Julliard graduate and was nominated for a Tony. Mark Ruffalo plays the brother, Terry. He co-founded a small theater company in L.A. and remains involved in it despite his success in this film role. Watch for these actors. They deliver an outstanding performance in this film, but I think Ruffalo was over the top in his role as the brother.

Matthew Broderick plays Sammys obnoxious new boss, Brian. Broderick had an early leading role as Ferris Bueller in Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986) during his twenty-year career. One of my favorite lines in this film occurs during the turning point in the relationship between Sammy and Brian when he yells at her, I suppose youre going to take over the bank! Youll have to see the film to know why that is both significant and funny.

Kenneth Lonergan wrote this screenplay from his own stage play, This is Our Youth. He added the 8-year-old boy for the film and it was an important and successful change. He also directed the film and played the part of Ron, the minister. His screenplay writing credits include Analyze This (1999), The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000), Analyze That (2002) and Gangs of New York (2002).

I was not surprised to discover that Martin Scorsese was the executive producer for this film.

Listen for the background music, some of it composed and orchestrated by Lesley Barber. There is some beautiful cello work on Bachs G Major Suite for Solo Cello and an aria sung from Bachs St. Matthews Passion. If you setup for English subtitles youll see the titles for some funny country selections that match the storyline.

Linney and Ruffalo achieve unique sibling chemistry in this work that makes the story come alive. Combine that with the current chaos of them acting out long unresolved issues and the needs of an 8-year-old with no father and you have a lot going on. The story is at times tense, or sad, or delightful or funny. It is one of the better films I have seen and I can recommend it.

Reviewed March 20, 2003