You can count on me

You Can Count On Me (2000)
a film by Kenneth Lonergan

This is an entertaining and moving story of family and brotherhood. It enters my pantheon of great movies about everyday people in everyday situations right next to Yi Yi. And it is so great at describing this personal story thanks to the great work and Marc Ruffalo and Laura Linney that make such a great couple of brothers in the screen and give a touch of greatness to this story that could happen next door.

Sammy and Terry loose their parent when still really young. Sammy stays in their small town up-state New York while Terry leaves to become a drifter around the country. Sammy becomes a single mother and one day Terry drops a letter announcing his visit. That is the starting point of this memorable story that is moving but at the same time soothing and amusing.

It is amazing how regular life is also immortalized in film and the way in which this story lingers is through the great moments that the characters put together in the screen. This are not perfect heroes and they are distant from being heroes as all, it is that great touch humanity that makes this story accessible and beautiful.

Another great aspect of this movie is the smart and witty script. I was surprised to see Martin Scorsese in the opening credits and I think I understand him getting involved in a movie that although is distant from his favourite topics is full of fluent dialogues and great character development.

Both Sammy and Terry are charming characters, they are provided with so many details and natural reactions that the seem more articulated than just the image of them in the screen. A key moment showing was the scene in which they are smoking and a moth shows up and far from disturbing the scene the characters react to its presence naturally and fluently. This is great story about brothers and what it means to have sibling. So soothingly powerful, this story is going to make you long to hug your sister (or brother).