YOU CAN COUNT ON ME (2000)
I love this little independent film, which made stars out of Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo, and also features Matthew Broderick in a supporting role. It was written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, who also has a memorable cameo as the local priest. Lonergan apparently does most of his work in theater, but according to IMDB, his second film, MARGARET, will be released in 2008 and brings back Mark Ruffalo and Matthew Broderick. Huzzah!
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME tells the story of a brother and sister who lost their parents at a young age. The sister lives in a small town in northern New York, in the family home. She is single, has a son, and tries to be very responsible. Her brother knocks around the country, writes home when he remembers, and always gets into trouble. The film tells the story of what happens when he comes back for a visit. It is beautifully photographed, beautifully edited, and beautifully written. The performances--! Laura Linney's work earned her an Oscar nomination, and her performance is for the ages. This film is a big ball of perfect, and it especially gets to me because Linney's character is a bit like me in the way she strives to control her life, achieving a contrived perfection which doesn't ring fully true. Watching her come apart and pull back together again is a revelation.
girljim does not always allow me to show her my favorite films, but she decided to indulge me for this one. She has been hard at work today, decorating our Christmas tree. After it was finished, our cat promptly curled up underneath on the tree skirt, like a present. I'm going to have to start carrying the camera around so I can catch him doing things like this.
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME tells the story of a brother and sister who lost their parents at a young age. The sister lives in a small town in northern New York, in the family home. She is single, has a son, and tries to be very responsible. Her brother knocks around the country, writes home when he remembers, and always gets into trouble. The film tells the story of what happens when he comes back for a visit. It is beautifully photographed, beautifully edited, and beautifully written. The performances--! Laura Linney's work earned her an Oscar nomination, and her performance is for the ages. This film is a big ball of perfect, and it especially gets to me because Linney's character is a bit like me in the way she strives to control her life, achieving a contrived perfection which doesn't ring fully true. Watching her come apart and pull back together again is a revelation.
girljim does not always allow me to show her my favorite films, but she decided to indulge me for this one. She has been hard at work today, decorating our Christmas tree. After it was finished, our cat promptly curled up underneath on the tree skirt, like a present. I'm going to have to start carrying the camera around so I can catch him doing things like this.