YOU CAN COUNT ON ME

2000

This, the best-written and best edited film in the festival, was the winner of the Grand Jury as well as the Screenwriting Prize at Sundance this year. It's a small film, a snapshot of family life, that concerns a reunion of a brother and sister (in their 30's) at the home left to them by their parents who were killed in a car accident many years before. All of the action takes place in a small town in upstate New York, in the course of one turbulent week, as their family conflicts flow over and affect everyone around them. The acting by a troupe of Broadway stage people (Laura Linney, Mark Ruffalo, Matthew Broderick, Jon Tenney and Rory Culkin)is flawless. You may have to search for this film, because it was made for only one million dollars, and there's virtually no money for advertising. This, we the audience were told in the Q & A period, by a charming and articulate Laura Linney, the movie's "star." Look for it, it's worth it.

4 Stars

NJB

Playwright Kenneth Lonergan wrote and produced this slice of life film about a brother and sister trying to find happiness and meaning in their lives. Laura Linney is a single mother who welcomes home her wayward brother, Mark Ruffalo, when he goes broke. Throw in yet ANOTHER Culkin kid, Rory, and Matthew Broderick and you get a story that seems like its going to be predictable. Instead, just like in real life, it zigs and zags and stays interesting. Good performances all around. Especially moving are the scenes between Ruffalo and Culkin- it's odd the chemistry between these two. This film is not exactly action-packed, but it's a nice look at life and all of its imperfections.

4 Stars

CDF