You Can Count on Me

Saw You Can Count on Me. I really liked it. It began as a drama with cinema-verite-style understated performances but later softened its chill into a more or less regular, artfully manipulative, kitchen-sink movie. It reminded me of the domestic tragedy 'Night Mother at first, only much more upbeat in the end. Some beautiful New England scenery and a violin score that is at first austere and chilly and later soft and manipulative. The initial chill makes the later warmth all the warmer, but boy I wish it had remained austere. The script was tight and well-done. No clear-cut bad guys (apart from a certain boss,) and no saintly good guys. Everyone comes off a little mixed. There are a few short cuts and easy short-hands later on, but I forgive it because of the very strong start.