An eloquent small-town drama which owes something to Raymond Carver’s
short stories. Life hasn’t held many surprises for Sammy (Linney) –
single mother to an 8-year-old boy (Culkin), still living in her home
town, and working in the local bank where an irritatingly officious new
manager (Broderick) has just been appointed. A visit from her prodigal
brother (Ruffalo) shakes things up somewhat – but never so much that
Lonergan’s film loses its sure, un-movieish grasp of a complex sibling
relationship. Ruffalo’s drifter is charmingly shambolic, and the
excellent Linney – at last given a leading role – acts with previously
unseen warmth.
