Rushmore

Wes Anderson, USA, 1998, 93 mins

Max Fischer loves his school, he loves everything about it, from the French Club (President, Max Fischer) and the Debate Team (Captain, Max Fischer), to the Lacrosse Team (Manager, Max Fischer) and the Calligraphy Club (President, Max Fischer). Not forgetting the Astronomy Society (Founder, Max Fischer), the Fencing Team (Captain, Max Fischer), the Choir (Choirmaster, Max Fischer), the Bombardment Society (Founder, Max Fischer), the Trap and Skeet Club (Founder, Max Fischer), and the Rushmore Beekeepers (President, Max Fischer). You might think that Max is a sharp little guy, but actually he’s one of the worst students Rushmore has got…

Max Fischer is dedicated, not to his studies, but to his school; he makes it what it is, embodying every parents ideal of neatness, from his bow tie and carefully pressed blazer right down to his shiny black shoes. We join Max in his final year at Rushmore, when he meets Miss Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams) and Mr Herman J. Blume (Bill Murray), and when trouble starts to brew.

Rushmore is the second feature film to be directed by Wes Anderson and co-written by Luke Wilson. Like their other films (Bottle Rocket, The Royal Tennenbaums) this is a beautifully warped comedy, showing a whimsical reflection of an American prep school. Jason Schwartzman is perfectly cast as Max, managing to capture the essence of geekdom, the loneliness of those that choose to live how they see fit, rather than just quietly fitting in. Bill Murray is also excellent as the self made millionaire ‘Nam veteran. His competition with Max for the affection of Olivia Williams’ character, Miss Cross, makes this film both touching and hilarious.

This is Wes Andersons romantic dream of what school should be like, but it never quite becomes ridiculous, there is enough bitterness and cynical humour to keep it plausible and brilliant.

Review by George Williamson
Taken from EUFS programme Autumn 2003

It is during this time of turmoil in his life that he befriends Herman Blume (Bill Murray, in a wonderfully deadpan performance), a downtrodden millionaire whose thick-headed sons are Max's classmates. Although the two initially hit it off - Max even convinces Blume to build an on-campus aquarium - their friendship soon turns to bitter (and often hilarious) rivalry. Both men fall head over heels in love with Miss Cross (Olivia Williams), a gentle first-grade teacher still mourning the death of her husband. With a little help from their friends (a colourful cast that includes Mason Gamble, Seymour Cassel, and Brian Cox), Max and Blume launch a full-scale war over Miss Cross's affections.

In Rushmore, director Wes Anderson (Bottle Rocket) delivers a unique coming-of-age comedy which often defies the conventions of its genre. Jason Schwartzman gives an unforgettable performance as Max, whose self-assured, dorky charm sets him apart from other contemporary screen teens. Unlike the kids in She's All That or Scream, Max Fischer cannot be classified under a distinct label; he marches to the beat of his own drummer, and forces those around him to do the same. Mason Gamble is also memorable as Max's seven-year-old chapel buddy, and Williams displays sensitivity as the object of Max and Blume's affections.

Among the film's highlights are Max's full-scale, special-effects laden stage productions of Serpico and Apocalypse Now. Needless to say, scenes like these do not exist in your average teen movie, and consequently the studio that distributed Rushmore had some difficulty marketing it. Give Max and his cohorts a second chance this term at the film society.

Review by Beth Gilligan
Taken from EUFS programme spring 2000