Charles Schoellenbach reviews the film You Can Count on Me. Domesticity has given Sammy's life stability and meaning that is soon to be tested.
Terry is unreliable, restless and dreams of returning to Alaska.
Squabbles and imperfect displays of love between the two siblings are a product of the disorientation and pain of losing their parents at an early age. Kenneth Lonergan, who wrote the story and debuts as a directory stumbles. Whomever finished raising the sister and brother would still be a parent figure to them, so it is difficult to believe that these two people who continue to reckon with their loss do not have anyone to have at least partially filled the void. The film has other problems as well. Lonergan has not learned to write and film scenes where the main characters interact naturally with the supporting cast, as in the bar scene.