Kenneth Lonergan Reflects on the Making of His Oscar-Nominated Debut, You Can Count on Me
Writer-director Kenneth Lonergan recently appeared on The Hollywood Reporter’s podcast, It Happened in Hollywood, where he shared fascinating insights into the creation of his acclaimed 2000 film, You Can Count on Me. This intimate sibling drama, which has now been added to the prestigious Criterion Collection, tells the poignant story of Sammy (played by Laura Linney) and Terry (Mark Ruffalo, in his breakout role), who navigate the complexities of family after being orphaned at a young age. Rory Culkin, known as the younger brother of Macaulay and Kieran, portrays Sammy’s bright young son, Rudy.
Before You Can Count on Me, Lonergan had already established himself as a successful playwright and was involved in writing Hollywood comedies, including Analyze This (1999) and The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000). When the opportunity to direct his own screenplay arose, he faced challenges with the studio regarding creative control. “The studio didn’t want to give me final cut, so I brought Marty Scorsese in as a protector,” Lonergan revealed. Scorsese, who became an executive producer on the project, provided the reassurance Lonergan needed to feel secure in his creative vision.
Having collaborated with Scorsese on several unproduced projects, Lonergan described their friendly relationship, noting how supportive the renowned director has been throughout his career. The two later worked together again on the 2002 film Gangs of New York, where Lonergan contributed as one of the credited writers.
When it came to casting the role of Sammy, Lonergan initially approached Ethan Hawke, who ultimately declined. “I auditioned many actors I admired, and it came down to Josh Hamilton and Mark Ruffalo,” he recalled. At that time, Ruffalo was a rising theater talent in Los Angeles, yet he had yet to land a significant film role. “He had been bartending and trying to make a name for himself in LA’s theater scene, which was a tough road,” Lonergan noted.
In the end, Lonergan chose Ruffalo for the role. “He just seemed to fit the part better,” he explained, expressing pride in having helped launch Ruffalo’s remarkable acting career. “You feel proud of both yourself and the actor. While you want them to appreciate your contribution, the truth is, actors bring so much to a project that it’s hard to take full credit,” he joked.
For an in-depth look at the making of You Can Count on Me, listen to the latest episode of It Happened in Hollywood. Be sure to subscribe for more behind-the-scenes stories from beloved films and the talented individuals who created them.
