It is rare these days to see a believable, unpretentious film that on the one hand, is not a particularly dramatic story but on the other hand, completely captures your attention. You Can Count On me is a sleeper that will continue to grow in popularity mostly through the grapevine. No big marketing budget here thankfully.

Footloose Terry (Mark Ruffalo) returns to his hometown and is temporarily reunited with his seemingly straight-laced sister, Sammy (Laura Linney). There is tension between them immediately and it is sustained throughout as they attempt to co-exist. Although there are similarities (of the outlaw variety) between the two, the differences are what pique your interest.

Every family is to some extent normally dysfunctional. We take our siblings for granted at an early age. Then as time goes on, differences become accentuated and relationships come under pressure. Often they fall apart. This is the area explored by You Can Count On Me.

Mark Ruffalo is perfect in the role of the brother especially when he puts on that 'I know I've messed up again' look. He's tactless and lacks judgment but he's irresistible just the same. Laura Linney dutifully tries to accept his indiscretions while at the same time coping with certain inconsistencies in her own life, her persnickety boss (Matthew Broderick) making for the most interesting relationship outside the home scene. Linney deserves all the praise she is getting for her excellent performance.

On the face of it, You Can Count On Me may seem an inconsequential family drama. It's set in a small town and the characters are in Thoreau's words 'living lives of quiet desperation'. That is the key attraction however and what makes this film such a gem. Despite all the anxiety, out of the intense sadness does come inspiration. No matter what happens between family members, you can normally count on them if all else fails.