Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

"You Can Count On Me" is a film that celebrates the unpredictability of life, and the ways people find to deal with it. Laura Linney stars as Sammy Prescott, a single parent who's forced to face adversity on many fronts. The man who fathered her child has left her to raise their son, Rudy (Rory Culkin) by herself. The current man in her life, Bob Stigerson (Jon Tenney) wants Sammy to be a permanent part of his life, but isn't sure she wants that. The small town bank where she works as a loan officer has hired a new manager, Brian Everett (Matthew Broderick), who wants a more professional atmosphere for their customers. Out of the blue, Sammy's brother, Terry (Mark Ruffalo), writes to announce he's coming to their hometown of Scottsville, New York, for a weekend visit.

Sammy is relieved and concerned, for Terry seldom keeps in touch with her, despite the fact that she's his only living immediate family. He has traveled the country and held odd jobs, but he is currently living with a girlfriend in Massachusetts. When the girlfriend attempts suicide, and she tells people she doesn't want to see Terry, he stays with Sammy. That comes at an opportune time for Sammy, for Brian is making changes at the bank that will not allow her to use her lunch break to take her son home. The first time Sammy asks Terry to pick up Rudy, Terry promptly forgets. Later, when he babysits while Sammy has a date with Bob, the uncle takes the nephew to a bar to shoot pool. Uncle Terry tries to be more of a pal than a responsible adult. As a result, when Sammy finds out what they did, Terry blames Rudy for telling. Even though Rudy tells his uncle that's not the case, Terry refuses to believe his nephew.

Sammy, meanwhile, finds that she is somewhat lacking when it comes to responsibility. She may not want to marry Bob, but she has no problem fooling around with Brian, in spite of their work relationship. She even uses Terry to act as a babysitter again when Brian has some spare time away from his pregnant wife. Terry involves Rudy in even more irresponsible male bonding which leads to more on-the-job friction with Brian.

A lot of films would have taken these situations and wrapped them up neatly. Fortunately, writer-director Kenneth Lonergan (whose previous script credits include "Analyze This" and "The Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle") did not choose this path in "You Can Count On Me." In this movie, the main characters of Sammy, Terry, and Brian are people with visible good and bad qualities. They may be people with disagreements, but the bottom line is that they are a community first. Throughout the movie, we get the impression that either Sammy or Brian is going to wind up getting fired, and that Terry and Sammy will, at some point, get fed up with each other's company. Certain questions are answered, but Lonergan leaves others unanswered. "You Can Count On Me" offers a refreshing view on family relationships with a gentle sense of humor, and will leave some to wonder what happens to the characters after the film events end.

Linney shows both the strength and the vulnerability of Sammy. She is a woman who is confident and lost at the same time. She's a parent who's made a career for herself, yet she works without a net on certain issues of importance. Ruffalo, as Terry, shows other aspects of the same issue. He is more restless, more idealistic, more irresponsible. The always dependable Broderick is solid as the businesslike Brian, who has issues of his own that lead him to Sammy. In his directorial debut, Lonergan also has a humorous role as Father Ron, the Methodist minister who deadpans his way through issues that the Prescotts take seriously.

"You Can Count On Me" is a film that hints at some positive from of resolution, but doesn't tip its hand until the end. It's the story of a brother and sister trying to find answers without the benefit of parents. It's the tale of a community who knows all this, and is there for the Prescotts, or anyone else in need. "You Can Count On Me" is full of surprise, much like life itself. Much like life, I wish more films could be like this.



Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12