You Can Count on Me (2000)

Directed by Kenneth Lonergan. Starring Laura Linney, Mark Ruffalo, Matthew Broderick, Rory Culkin, Jon Tenney, J. Smith-Cameron, Kenneth Lonergan, Adam LeFevre, Gaby Hoffman, Josh Lucas. [R]

Single mom Linney has a lot on her plate: a son (Culkin) to raise, a sorta-significant other (Tenney) who seems unwilling to commit, and an incompetent middle-manager boss (Broderick) who’s only willing to bend the rules when they apply to him, including cheating on his pregnant wife with her. But at least she still has her brother (Ruffalo), who’s coming back to town to see her…even though he’s restless and unreliable and is only looking to borrow money from his big sis. Bracingly good character drama with a dry sense of humor speaks volumes without ever stating the obvious, the kind of half-truths and deflections and subterfuge that make up the daily dialogue of so many in the world. The leads are refreshing in their messiness, indecisiveness, guarded honesty, and genuine affection that’s shown in subtle and opposing ways. Superbly written by debuting director Lonergan (also a playwright); even though there’s little imagination or confidence in the visual strategy, it’s always compelling to just hear these characters talk and live their deeply flawed lives, free from the contrivances of a plot that demands easy solutions and closure. Lonergan also has a supporting role as a minister.

87/100