You Can Count on Me: A Screenplay
This screenplay, which marked Lonergan's directorial debut and won both the Sundance Film Festival and the New York Film Critics Circle Best Screenplay awards in 2000, presents a slice of time in the lives of a brother and sister whose parents died in a car crash when the children were young. Sammy remains in the small town, has a child out of wedlock, and works at the local bank, where she encounters sexual tension with the new manager. Terry leads the life of a drifter, dropping in on his sister when he is down and out and in need of money. But this time he develops a bond with Sammy's son, who is searching for a father figure. Crafty and heartfelt, this work reveals Lonergan's uncanny skill for telling an emotionally packed story in a low-key manner. Each subdued yet troubled character is revealed through simple, uncluttered dialog. Lonergan's plays include Lobby Hero, The Waverly Gallery, and This Is Our Youth, and other screenplays include Analyze This and The Lost Army. Read this script, which includes an insightful introduction from the author, then watch the film and see how skilled actors and crew create an excellent production. Essential for performing arts collections. Elizabeth Stifter, Brooklyn, NYCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.