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Just perfect...

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Sammy Prescott (Laura Linney) is the lending officer of the small local bank in Scottville, New York. Terry Prescott (Mark Ruffalo) is the irresponsible one who comes to town looking for money. They lost their parents at a young age and Sammy has always taken care of Terry. She has a son Rudy (Rory Culkin). She hates his father but she's coy about it to him. Bob Steegerson (Jon Tenney) is her boyfriend and Brian Everett (Matthew Broderick) is the new demanding bank manager. With Brian looking over her shoulders, Sammy is forced to let Terry take care of Rudy.This movie works because Linney and Ruffalo can project their sibling relationship right from the start. The script brings it out of the actors from the first moment they meet. Then the movie allows these two characters to expand and show different layers. They are infinitely fascinating and compelling to the last frame.

The film was fair with skilled acting and a fairly entertaining story (except for Linney's acting which is mediocre). However, I felt the film sent bad messages. I won't be a spoiler, but suffices to say that Linney's character's actions are tantamount to blackmail and sexual extortion. The film demonstrates that it is OK to have sex with a coworker, then use the threat of a lawsuit to advance and sluff off your responsibilities on the job. In the film Linney plays a loan officer , a basically unskilled job of questionable value to society, especially when viewed through the eyes of those victimized by the financial crises. On the other hand, her brother's character is a carpenter, a skilled hardworking position of which our society has a shortage. Yet he is portrayed as sad , pathetic, and an addicted looser. He is also apparently undeserving, as Linney's character takes much of what is rightfully his for herself, and he seems to inexplicably agree. Linney's character wants to leave work early to pick up her son, yet they never show the worker left behind who picks up the slack, or are we suppose to assume the bank closes early for her too?The film seems to imply it is OK to use kids as a human shield against criticism if they are used as the reason for shirking one's responsibilities and taking from others; a message of which I do not personally agree. I would advise the writers, next time you need a home repair or remodel, call a loan officer.

You can count on me is a film starring Mark Ruffalo and Laura Linney and was made in 2000. This is one of those movies that is what they call a hidden gem. It is the story of a brother and sister who lose their parents in a car crash at a very young age. The story begins when they are older and the character played by Mark Ruffalo comes back home. One of the things that I loved about this movie is a key component, namely the tragic loss of their parents. You always get a sense that it is there and has shaped who these two characters have become as adults, but is never overplayed. Rory Culkin (yes Maculays brother) has a great first role as Laura's eight year old son. This movie is very well written and cerebral without trying to be over anyone's head. This is one of those movies that I think most people have never heard of, but if they would take the time to check out, I think they would find memorable. if you like concise reviews of interesting films please read my other reviews at http://raouldukeatthemovies.blogspot.com/

This movie is a heart-warming depiction of a group of people in a small town whose lives come together and change. Mark Ruffalo and Laura Linney are excellent in this story that starts with a very sad meeting between the two siblings but rebounds with the twists of fate that make for a complicated family adventure. Through it all, there is humor and dialogue that enliven this film, set in a small town in New York state where the two grew up and lost both parents. At one point Linney tries to navigate the waves created by her boss, brother, boyfriend, ex-husband and child. Both she and her brother are flawed human beings but they make the effort to live up to their family commitments. Matthew Broderick plays a rather unusual role among a cast of unusual characters. The other actors, Rory Culkin as the son and Jon Tenney as Bob, the boyfriend, round out the main cast. The film does not bring a complete resolution to the problems but we feel that a hopeful chapter in their lives has been told.