Saw You Can Count On Me this evening. While I thought it was an excellent film, I am surprised by all the raves. There are easily 10 marvellous "little" films over the years that haven't gotten this much attention or unanimity. But then, it's been a bad year.
My praise for it is undoubtedly tempered by my utter lack of enthusiasm for the subject matter. If you come from one of "those" sorts of families, be warned. It captures the downside in excruciating detail, and doesn't give one the illusion of an end to the pain. Those who find this a selling point just don't have the experience to appropriately judge, so don't be fooled by their gushing praise of its "reality".
Visually unimpressive, blocky and static, this movie is all script and performances. Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo, playing sister and brother bound together uneasily but permanently by the death of their parents, are equally fine in difficult roles. I've never liked Linney, but she works wonders with her usual brittle plastic smile--when the tears and pain break through the mask it's incredibly effective. Ruffalo is exceptional as the no'count brother who isn't even particularly charming or goodlooking to offset his many negatives. His interactions with Rory Culkin, playing Linney's 8 year old son (and quite good himself), are delightfully peer to peer. Matthew Broderick adds another gem to his collection as Linney's obsessive bank manager boss/lover who is never as unlikeable as he should be.
Special mention must go to what I found to be the most surprising two scenes--those involving the community's Catholic priest (played by the director, Ken Lonergan). It would reveal too much to say more, but I very much enjoyed the way that both scenes were quietly played against expectations.
Still, I can't say that I was very much uplifted by it. It is possible that I was turned off up front by the realization that Linney's character loved her brother far more than she did her son, or perhaps it was merely that I don't have to pay $9 to see family dysfunction. But while it certainly is the best movie I've seen this year, I can't recommend it as all that much fun. Given its rather unimpressive visual quality, you can wait until video without missing much.
I would like the soundtrack, though. Heads up if you see the movie and want the soundtrack: it won't have the cello music on it--I don't know if Bach's estate had objections or if Steve Earle thought it cramped his style. I suggest you pick up YoYo Ma's rendition of the Unaccompanied Suites.
