3. Terry Prescott You Can Count On Me (2000)
Paramount ClassicsIn You Can Count On Me Mark Ruffalo acts alongside Laura Linney as brother and sister. Linneys character is the lending officer at a bank still living in her childhood home in Scottsville, New York while in contrast Ruffalos Terry has drifted across the country just about getting by and regularly getting himself into trouble. After a long time spent not seeing one another, Terry is forced to finally visit his sister and nephew, Rudy, as his nomadic, listless lifestyle means that he is desperate for money. Terry decides to extend his stay with his sister after his girlfriend attempts suicide. Ruffalos open acting style is extremely effective here as we see the big kid grow close to his young nephew, played by Rory Culkin. Its typical of a man like Terry that he should form this kind of bond with a child. Ruffalos undeniable likeability makes it difficult to condemn him even when he pushes the limits of his sisters parenting by taking his young friend to a late-night pool game in a bar. He is also very vocal in his critisms of Rudys absentee father Rudy Snr. Though we despair at the plight of Terry and can judge his irresponsibility, Ruffalos performance captures the truth that he always means well.