Director: Kenneth Lonergan
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Laura Linney and Matthew Broderick
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood that achieved fame several years ago are as celebrated as Mark Ruffalo. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Ruffalo has become an icon. Whether it’s detectives inspecting murders, political leaders or members of superhero teams, Ruffalo has played many compelling characters. Arguably, Ruffalo’s strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles that have a limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t the main focus of a movie, Ruffalo has commonly left a strong impression. Although he is best known for his iconic role as the Hulk in the MCU, Ruffalo has claimed that he can make captivating movies in almost every genre. Throughout his enduring career, Ruffalo has made many unforgettable movies that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Ruffalo and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “You Can Count on Me” is truly my favourite. Released in 2000, Kenneth Lonergan’s film offered a strong portrait of single mothers. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about mothers. At the center of it all is a bold performance by Mark Ruffalo, who embodies a detective facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “You Can Count on Me” a masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike most movies about mothers, it tackles powerful themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about strong mothers, there are countless reasons why “You Can Count on Me” is a film that is worth watching.
“You Can Count on Me” tells the story of a single mother facing adversity. Laura Linney portrays Sammy, a single mother that has a strong personality. Sammy has always had a broken bond with members of her family she rarely gets to see. However, Sammy’s life drastically changes when she reunites with her long estranged brother. Terry (Mark Ruffalo) is a compassionate sibling with a desire to assist his sister. Sammy forms a strong bond with Terry whom she begins to love dearly. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Sammy is forced to wonder if it’s possible for her to anymore be a successful mother. Faced with a dilemma, Sammy soon questions whether it’s possible for her to be a mother with charisma.
Kenneth Lonergan has always been drawn to stories of dysfunctional families facing tension. A renowned playwright, Lonergan has often made engaging plays capturing barriers families fight. With “You Can Count on Me”, however, Lonergan created his first ever directorial debut. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of mothers facing adversity but he succeeded. Through strong cinematography, Lonergan captures a single mother that embarks on a journey. Evoking Cameron Crowe’s “Jerry Maguire”, Lonergan uses montages to demonstrate a mother which seeks to overcome obstacles which prove dire. For instance, montages enhance the brother reunion scene. During his memorable scene, Sammy experiences an emotional reunion with her brother after many years of separation. Through stunning montages, Lonergan created a portrait of mothers that’s compelling. Montages are complicated techniques. As David Fincher’s “Zodiac” demonstrated, montages elevate movies about serial killers. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using captivating visuals, Lonergan captured the hardships mothers are facing.
Another strong aspect of “You Can Count on Me” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is well made. Inspired by Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People”, Lonergan uses the set design of homes to capture tension faced by ordinary people. Throughout the movie, Sammy’s home plays a pivotal role capturing her personality as a mother. For instance, the set design of homes elevates the family’s arguments scene. During this unforgettable scene, Sammy has a tense argument with her brother causing tension. Using bold set design, Lonergan captures family relationships which face a decline. Moreover, the musical score is marvellous. Lesley Barber’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a heartfelt atmosphere capturing the burdens which single mothers bear.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “You Can Count on Me” is a movie about a broken family that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses silence to capture tensions which mothers are experiencing. Evoking Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump”, Lonergan uses silence to capture the hardships that single mothers experience. For instance, silence elevates the emotional farewell scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Sammy bids tearful farewell to brother. Through sequences of silence, Lonergan captures family creates a portrait of mothers audiences can relate to. Silence of a tricky technique to use in films. As Tom McCarthy’s “Spotlight” suggested, silence often elevates films about shocking scandals. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Lonergan captures single mothers that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Mark Ruffalo delivers one of his best career performances as Terry. Ruffalo first earned appreciation for playing hulking heroes in comic-book movies. With “You Can Count on Me”, however, Ruffalo took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray the brother of a troubled woman but he pulled it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, riveting and vulnerable in his most memorable role. Ruffalo has often excelled at playing heroes under intense pressure, an “You Can Count on Me” showcased his strength as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, depression and grief experienced by a man facing tensions. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the finest actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Ruffalo, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of appreciation. Laura Linney is extraordinary, bringing sympathy towards a strong single mother struggling to raise her family. Matthew Broderick is magnificent, capturing the frantic energy of a father that struggles to care for a broken family which is tragic. Lastly, John Tenney is deserving of appreciation. As a mental patient, he brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “You Can Count on Me” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing mothers facing adversity. Unlike most films about mothers, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including ambition, compassion and parenting which would absolutely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “You Can Count on Me” is one of those rare movies about broken families that everyone would adore.
Fans of Mark Ruffalo would definitely enjoy “You Can Count on Me” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A mesmerizing masterpiece about mothers, it honours an actor with presence.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic movie about single mothers that face adversity struggling to raise a dysfunctional family, of a riveting reminder about an actor that has built a strong legacy through ability to play compelling characters in iconic films audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 