Rushmore [DVD]

These are or scrubs; 'oh are they'? I died

Rushmore took me by surprise when I first saw it. Jason Schwartzman's character, Max Fischer, has to be one of the most original high school protagonists to come along in a long time. He finds himself a square peg in a round hole at a prep school, concocting one fantastic scheme after another which livens up the otherwise dreary academic experience of Rushmore.Bill Murray provides a remarkable performance as a self-made millionaire, Mr. Blume, whom young Max solicits for his grandest scheme yet, a multi-million dollar aquarium to please the young teacher he is so smitten by. This soon evolves into a very comic love triangle, with Max opting for some rather dark attempts at getting back at Blume for stealing his love interest. The object of affection is a very fetching Olivia Williams.There are so many odd turns in this movie. Most notable are the plays Max stages including a theatrical version of Serpico and one of the Vietnam War. But, probably the most touching scenes are those between Max and his father, played by Seymour Cassel. Max tries to distance himself from the lowly station of his father, a local barber, but eventually is able to reconcile himself with his father.Max finally accepts that Miss Cross maybe a little too old for him, and places his affections in the more suitable Margaret Yang, having now been kicked out of Rushmore and finding himself having to face the trials and tribulations of public school. The movie is underscored by a fine soundtrack that includes Rod Stewart's Ooh La La, when he sang for the Faces. This is a great movie, ranking up there with Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Dazed and Confused as one of the best high school movies of all time.

I got this film a good few years ago now, but watching it again last night I really felt I had to write a review. The plot concerns a 15-year-old boy called Max Fischer. Max seems to have a certain amount of ambition in that he heads up just about every extracurricular activity one could sign up for at the private school (the Rushmore of the title) of which he is a pupil. His major problem is due to all this activity he is failing badly in about every subject! However, he forms an unlikely friendship with a millionaire Herman Blume played by Bill Murray after he has given a talk at the school. Max sees Herman as everything he aspires to be, Herman depressed as he lacks direction in his life, is impressed by Max's apparent ability and attitude although, unbeknown to him, this is just a front. When they both develop a crush on the beguiling recently widowed art teacher Rosemary Cross, tensions flare and an unbecoming game tit-for-tat ensures.Essentially this is a comedy based around awkwardness and uncertainty. Max doesn't really know where his life is going, he fabricates his background and in his efforts to impress Rosemary he ends up getting expelled from Rushmore. Herman knows his life is going nowhere and sees Rosemary his possible salvation (whether she is not is a matter of debate). But in the end, Max forms a relationship with a student his own age and starts to live life on a realistic level having learned a few slightly painful life lessons.The performances are very good. Jason Schwartzman is a revelation as Max, geeky, awkward and even deceitful at times. Yet you wantto see him succeed by learning from his experiences. This film did a lot to revive Bill Murray's career and deservedly so as he gives a great performance. Olivia Williams is the understandably the object of both characters affections as Rosemary, displaying both concern, frustration and perplexity at the actions of Max and Herman. The ending of the film is pitch perfect. After Max has produced a successful play, at the party afterwards, where all the major characters we have met in the course of the film are present, having formed a suitable relationship and about to dance with the original object of his affections, Rosemary, he requested change of record and the film ends with them dancing to the Faces 'Ooh La La' with its refrain ' I wish I knew what I know now'. Something that is common to all of us as we look back at our past mistakes!

I completely love this film and never get tired of watching it. Its one of the most charming and engaging things I've ever seen. All the performances are fantastic, from Bill Murray's jaded industrialist (his 'I'm a little lonely these days' line is heartrending!) to Dirk Calloway's faultless comic turn as Max's sidekick. I also think Jason Schwartzman is incredible as Max, and i was so surprised to hear it was his debut performance. It could be easy to dislike Max but the way Schwartzman plays it, Max is just totally endearing and hilarious. You can't help but root for him.The film is different and has an absurd slant, but not self-conciously so, which I feel the life aquatic and the royal tennabaums suffered from. The plot flows very well in Rushmore whereas I feel in the other two the narrative is hampered by the style. However here Anderson creates an incredibly stylish film with a great plot and dialogue. Everytime you watch it you notice another detail that you hadn't before. Its a great take on relationships and is unashamedly nostalgic and romantic, but somehow not in a cheesy way. Max gradually coming to terms with the reality of his own life, and his acceptance of his father, whilst still retaining all that ambition to create the 'best play ever man' just touches you and makes you feel all warm inside. The soundtrack is also perfectly judged and has some great tracks on it - I can't even listen to the Faces - Ooh la la anymore without thinking of that incrdible slow-mo last scene and getting a bit misty eyed.So in conclusion - you should buy it. Its an amazing work of art and i wish all films were like this!

Good film,not your usual plot linewell worth a watch!

Wasn’t sure what to expect from Rushmore,had never heard of it but Bill Murray’s in it so that was good enough for me.Very funny film,Bills classic as usual but the main character(can’t remember he’s name is quality in it,plays it so dry and well,really good film

Classic Wes Anderson film. Love the way it was shot and produced. I'm not mormally a good film watcher but this kept my attention throughout. 7.5/10 film (that's actually good for me).