You Can Count on Me Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Siblings with baggage try to figure out adulthood while one of them has an affair with Matthew Broderick because small town life is wild, I guess.

🍿 You Can Count on Me: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Terry’s Return

Sammy, a single mother living in a small town, is visited by her estranged brother Terry. Terry, a drifter, arrives needing money, disrupting Sammy’s stable but somewhat monotonous life. Sammy welcomes Terry, hoping he can provide a male role model for her son, Rudy, who has never known his father.

Sibling Dynamics and Rudy

As Terry spends time with Rudy, their bond grows. Terry’s influence, however, is not always positive. Sammy struggles to balance her responsibilities as a mother and her desire for connection. The complex dynamic between Sammy and Terry, shaped by their shared childhood trauma, becomes increasingly apparent.

Challenges and Choices

Sammy faces challenges at work, navigating a complicated relationship with her boss, Brian. Meanwhile, Terry’s impulsive actions lead to a crisis when he takes Rudy to meet his estranged father without Sammy’s permission. This act forces Sammy to confront her own choices and the impact they have on her son’s life.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sammy (Laura Linney): A responsible single mother working as a loan officer, grappling with family and relationship issues while trying to maintain stability.
• Terry (Mark Ruffalo): Sammy’s unfocused, drifter brother who returns home and disrupts her life, forcing them both to confront their past and present.
• Rudy (Rory Culkin): Sammy’s eight-year-old son, who seeks a male role model and forms a bond with his uncle Terry.
• Brian (Matthew Broderick): Sammy’s straight-laced, micro-managing boss with whom she has a complicated and ethically questionable affair.
• Bob (Jon Tenney): Sammy’s longtime friend and on-again, off-again boyfriend who represents a stable but unfulfilling option for her future.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Terry: “I’m just trying to be a better person.” – Terry says this in a moment of reflection, expressing his desire for change despite his past mistakes.
• Sammy: “You’re the most important person in my life.” – Sammy says this to Terry at the end of the movie, emphasizing their enduring bond despite their differences and struggles.
• Terry: “Put on your seat belt. When someone slams into us and you go sailing through the windshield, that’s liable to be uncomfortable, too. Now, put on a seat belt.” – Demonstrates his reluctant assumption of responsibility when driving his nephew Rudy somewhere.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.2M
• Domestic Gross: $9.4M
• Worldwide Gross: $11.2M

💥 You Can Count on Me Reviews

Personal Review

I was really moved by ‘You Can Count on Me.’ Laura Linney’s performance is just outstanding. You really get a sense of the quiet strength and hidden vulnerabilities. The scene where she confronts Matthew Broderick is incredibly powerful. It’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll. I feel like it’s a film that everyone can relate to, even though the circumstances may be different.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about family relationships”
  • “Those who appreciate independent films with realistic portrayals of life”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Adult themes including infidelity”
  • “Discussions of death and loss”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Lonergan’s writing is sharp, and the performances are uniformly excellent. Linney anchors the film with a quiet strength, while Ruffalo brings a raw energy that perfectly complements her.
• The New York Times: “A small-town story about big-hearted, flawed people. It’s a movie that understands the messy realities of family life and the enduring bonds that tie us together, even when we’re at our worst.
• RogerEbert.com: “What’s remarkable is how Lonergan avoids sentimentality, allowing the characters to be complex and contradictory. It’s a film that respects its audience and trusts them to connect with these ordinary lives.

Audience Reactions

Laura Linney’s acting was outstanding and conveyed depth.: Viewers laud the film’s raw authenticity and emotional resonance.

The brother-sister bond felt real and relatable.: The film depicts the complexities of family dynamics very well.

Overall Consensus: A poignant and deeply human drama celebrated for its authentic characters and strong performances.

Awards

1. Sundance Film Festival (Grand Jury Prize)- 2000
2. New York Film Critics Circle Awards (Best Screenplay)- 2000

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Kenneth Lonergan, the writer and director, also plays Minister Ron in the film. Because he had a lot of dialogue in his scenes, he allowed Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo to direct him during their respective scenes.”
• “Originally written as a one-act play, the movie maintains a character-driven narrative focusing on the complexities of human relationships rather than a traditional plot-driven structure.”
• “The film was shot in Margaretville, New York, aiming to capture the essence of small-town life in upstate New York.”

🖥️ How to Watch You Can Count on Me?

You Can Count on Me is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability and rental or purchase options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed You Can Count on Me, you might like these similar films:

• Manchester by the Sea (2016): Both films explore grief, family dynamics, and the challenges of returning to one’s hometown.
• Krisha (2015): Features a troubled family dynamic and the return of a prodigal member, focusing on personal struggles and family reconciliation.
• The Savages (2007): Explores the complex relationship between adult siblings dealing with a difficult parent, showcasing realistic family struggles.
• Lorenzo’s Oil (1992): Similar movies – siblings raising child together.

🛒 You Can Count on Me Related Products

• Manchester by the Sea [Blu-ray]: Blu-ray edition of the movie by the same writer, Kenneth Lonergan. Perfect for fans of ‘You Can Count on Me’ looking for similar themes and storytelling.
• Laura Linney: The Complete Collection: A collection of Laura Linney’s most critically acclaimed performances. Showcasing her diverse range and talent.
• Mark Ruffalo Signed Movie Photo: A limited edition autographed photo of Mark Ruffalo from his breakout role in ‘You Can Count on Me’. A rare collector’s item.
• Scottsville, NY T-Shirt: A T-shirt with the name of the town where the story is set. A way for the fans to immerse themselves in the story.

🎧 Soundtrack

You Can Count on Me features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben” – performed by Johann Sebastian Bach
• “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” – performed by Willie Nelson

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Hidden Meanings Behind Kendrick Lamar’s Count Me Out Music Video Explained

Ever wondered what Kendrick Lamar’s “Count Me Out” is really about? This video breaks down all the hidden meanings behind the visuals and lyrics, and honestly, it makes you think about the importance of having people you can truly count on!

✨ Rate