Rushmore

Rating:
Summary: RUSHMORE gets adolescence right.
Review: First off, RUSHMORE the movie is probably my favorite film of 1998. It's just one of the most truly honest films of the 90s. It's a simple tale, excellently told. Boy falls in love with teacher who falls in love with friend of boy...one of the oldest stories in the book, right? But Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson have created something more. And in Max Fischer, they have created a character that will be held along the lines of classic characters like Benjamin Braddock (THE GRADUATE), or even Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson's Dignan (played by Owen Wilson in BOTTLE ROCKET).

What really needs to be said, though, is that the Criterion DVD of this film simply is one of the best DVDs ever made. It's got a terrific commentary, documentaries, interviews, even the MTV Movie Awards reenactments by the Max Fischer Players. Other than FIGHT CLUB and Criterion's BRAZIL, I can't think of a single DVD that holds a candle to it. It's well worth the extra price.

RUSHMORE is destined to be a classic..one of those movies that still will be appreciated 20 years later. And Criterion DVDs are notorious for going out of print...so, RUSHMORE is destined to be a collector's item. Now if only Criterion would give the same treatment to BOTTLE ROCKET....

Rating:
Summary: "Rushmore" will restore your faith in movies
Review: That's a bold statement, but it's true. I could complain about how Bill Murray and everyone involved was robbed by not receiving any Oscar nominations, but with a film like this, it doesn't matter. In a year with two Elizabethan dramas and two World War II pictures nomated for Best Picture, Rushmore stood out as a true original. I read glowing reviews for the movie when it played for one week in LA and missed it, but caught it the second time it came out. I was eager going into see it, having loved Wes Anderson's first movie "Bottle Rocket" (also, Owen Wilson co-wrote both scripts with Anderson). I was amazed at what I saw. This is definetly one of the funniest American movies in a long time, and Max Fischer is one of the great characters of all time. Wes Anderson has a sensibility in his films of dry humor paired with true emotions and feelings. The characters in "Bottle Rocket" and Max Fischer share naive dreams that are impossible, but they're so damn likable you're heartbroken when they come up short. For weeks, I couldn't stop talking or thinking about this movie. So many scenes still are fresh in my mind, like the introduction of Max in all of his clubs, and Bill Murray doing the cannonball into his backyard pool. The cinematography and editing are great, and the soundtrack rocks. In just two movies Anderson has set himself apart from the Tarantinos of the indie film world and has proved himself to be one of the best writers and directors working today.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: A story about an overachieving high school student and a depressed millionaire fighting for the love of a preschool teacher sounds too bizarre to be made into a Hollywood movie, right? Well, not for Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson. They came up with one of the smartest, most captivating screenplays in recent years and paired that with Anderson's fantastic and very personal style of directing, and with great casting for the lead roles. The result? Rushmore, one of the best movies you'll ever get a chance to see.

Max Fisher (Jason Schwartzman) is a high school student. He goes to Rushmore. He has it all figured out - he is an average student at best, but his extra-curricular activities can not be contained. He's the president, or founder, or director to almost every single group, club or association in the school, ranging from calligraphy and debate to sword fighting and go-kart racing. And, most of all, he's the head of the Max Fisher Players theater troup.

He meets Herman Blume (Bill Murray), a tired, depressed man who happens to be a millionaire . He has two annoying sons who go to school with Max. They hit it off and become friends - Max finds someone to look up to (other than his barber dad) and Blume finds someone that sparks the interest he lacks for everything else in life.

Enter Miss Cross (Olivia Williams). Max falls in love with her at first sight, but of course, she pays no attention to him, so he recruits Mr. Blume to help him win her, but in the process, he too falls in love with the teacher. What follows is a hilarious battle of wits between the two as both try to get the other out of the way.

Although this story alone would make a good movie, Anderson's writing and directing take this film to the next level. The setting of the film manages to remain contemporary while not being truly current (if that makes any sense). The supporting characters surrounding the leads are also interesting and capture your attention from the first moment (especially Wilson's brother Luke, the great Brian Cox as Max's principal and Seymour Cassel as Max's father).

Another key element of the film is its music. Anderson is one of those directors that 'gets' music and knows how to use it in his movies. I promise you that after watching this movie, you'll want to get the soundtrack to it.

Rushmore is truly a hidden gem, one of those great movies that almost no one saw at the theaters, but that has gained a somewhat large cult following . There is a great Criterion Collection DVD that you should check out to truly appreciate this work of art.

On a final, side note, Anderson and Wilson are the same team that brought us the also incredibly fantastic The Royal Tenenbaums (for which they were nominated for an Original Screenplay Oscar), also starring both Wilsons and Murray. As for Jason Schwartzman, he is another member of one of the most prolific Hollywood movies, the Coppolas - he's the grandson of Carmine Coppola, nephew of Francis Ford Coppola, son of Talia Shire, and cousin to Sofia Coppola, Nicolas Cage and Roman Coppola.

Rating:
Summary: A comedy like no other
Review: Wes Anderson followed up the wonderful "Bottle Rocket" with "Rushmore," a coming-of-age romantic-comedy-drama that actually seems halfway plausible. Wittily-written, well-acted, and solidly-directed with plenty of amusing quirks.

Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) attends the elite Rushmore Academy, and is perhaps the most unusual student there -- he's part of every club and team in Rushmore, but failing all his classes. He encounters an odd friend of sorts in the unhappy magnate Herman Blume (Bill Murray), who is impressed by Max. At the same time, he befriends the smart, pleasant teacher Miss Cross (Olivia Williams).

But Max's world is turned upside-down. When he tries to build a magnificent aquarium in honor of Miss Cross, he's expelled from Rushmore. Worse yet, he learns that she's having an affair with Blume, who's every bit as attracted to her as Max is. Will Max, having lost what defined his life (namely, Rushmore), be able to bounce back?

"Rushmore" is one of those movies that Wes Anderson does really well -- it doesn't fit neatly into any one category, it's smart, it's funny, and the characters are endearing in a weird, quirky sort of way (especially when engaging in a sort of revenge one-upping, for the love of the teacher). It somehow manages to be sweet and pleasant without being schmaltzy or boring.

The writing is humorous, but not the sort of snort-hee-hee comedy that most movies have. (The limpest humor in here is the "O.R. scrubs" joke, and then it's clearly meant to be lame). Max's particular brand of dynamic brilliance is outlined best in the Vietnam-based school play, a mediocre idea raised to amazing levels. And unlike most movies of any kind, it leaves you thinking. Are the places we WANT to be the best places for us to be? Or would we really be happier elsewhere? Are the people we adore the people we should be with?

Max is an unusual character -- smart and mature, but somehow not quite as mature as he thinks he is. He always aspires to climb higher and higher, and clearly sees no end to how far he can go, and Schwartzman does an excellent job without being obvious about it. Bill Murray does a fantastic job as the depressed magnate who doesn't like his life as it is. Williams does a less amazing job, but is good as the center that the other two revolve frantically around.

"Rushmore" is a different but fully worthy follow-up to "Bottle Rocket," and it definitely won't disappoint Wes Anderson fans. A wonderful movie by a fantastic director.

Rating:
Summary: BIZARRE BUT CHARMING
Review: Unlike a lot of the other reviewers here, I didn't think the movie was a "classic" worthy of 5 stars. It certainly doesn't come near "Harold And Maude" nor "The Graduate" in caliber. On the other hand, it wasn't a bomb either. I liked the movie because the 3 main characters were complex; at times loathsome and at other times endearing. This is a story about friendships developed, divided, and ultimately redeemed The scene where Murray and Schwartzman meet outside the barber shop was touching as was the final scene(don't want to give it away). The film was rather disjointed in the way the scenes were put together. The story was set in the late 90's but it had a 60's feel to it (including a KILLER soundtrack). I don't really get that, unless the filmakers were paying homage to "The Graduate". But again, I enjoyed watching this quirky set of characters (both major and minor) sabotage and then reconcile with each other. And I thought the acting was fantastic. Those reviewers who didn't like it probably equate comedic acting with loudness, overemphasis, and a lot of vulgarity for it own sake. What makes these characters funny is how subtle their reactions are; especially Bill Murray. The look on his face as his car careens out of control was priceless. This is an odd little movie with a soul. Check it out.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: I am a little surprised that so many other people failed to see the merits of this movie. First, this was not a typical predictable Hollywood movie with a predictable ending. Second, it was not a re-hash of some old story line with the same old actors. It is a very well written comedic coming of age movie. Few movies take the time or effort to develop complex, flawed and genuine characters, but director Wes Anderson apparently understands the value of doing so. The emotionally stagnating business tycoon Herman Blume is played brilliantly by Bill Murray - the disappointment he feels with his banal life and idiotic children is wrenchingly palpable. But Rushmore Academy student and quirky prodigy Max Fischer enters Herman Blume's dull life, renewing his enthusiam. The movie is both thought provoking and hilarious. Particularly enjoyable are Max's adaptations of "Serpico" and "Platoon" for the high-school drama club. Hands down this was the best comedy produced in the 90's. With the decade that produced MTV sex and bathroom joke frat boy movies, this film offers an intelligent script, cast of characters, and an excellent soundtrack.

Rating:
Summary: Modern masterpiece.
Review: Wes Anderson's "Rushmore" is one of my favorite comedies. At times outlandish and at other points heartfelt, it's one of the best trips I ever took to the cinema. This Criterion DVD is so good, though, because the special features, including other plays from the Max Fischer Players, added to my enjoyment of the film.

Max Fischer, played by Jason Schwartzman, is the worst student at Rushmore Academy, though not because he doesn't apply himself. He is in every available club at the school, commandeers many of the extra-curricular activities, petitions to save the Latin program at the school and knows all of his teachers. But he's also failing his actual classes, has no ambitions beyond being the lord and master of Rushmore and has so much passion, in fact, that it clouds his reason.

Max's passion becomes particularly troublesome when his focus turns to Miss Cross, the widowed first-grade teacher who's just joined the Rushmore staff. Her love for Latin and poetry, in addition to her incredibly refined beauty, drive Max to outrageous lengths in the name of love. He recruits a rich yet soul-defeated man, played by an Oscar-worthy Bill Murray, to fund his ultimate monument to Miss Cross, an aquarium in her late husband's honor. Only Max doesn't get anyone's approval to build the aquarium first, which leads to major disaster for him and all else involved.

Max uses his heart, then his head. That's his greatest aspect and his ultimate failing. That's what makes him a compelling, funny character, one with which members of the audience can quickly identify.

The screenplay, by Anderson and actor Owen Wilson, is smart and funny. Visually, the film is quirky and beautiful, in its way. The acting is stellar, even from Schwartzman in his first film.

Check out the DVD's use of drawings, as well as its audition tape reel. Good stuff.

Rating:
Summary: Max Fischer Presents...
Review: RUSHMORE is a wonderful film that takes viewers on an offbeat coming-of-age journey. Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) is a Sophmore attending Rushmore Prep School. He is involved in just about every extra-curricular activity on campus and now faces expulsion due to his poor grades. Max loves school and dosen't want to leave under any condition. While trying to prevent the unthinkable, he forms a friendship with the local millionaire, Herman Blume (Bill Murray). He also ends up falling in love wth a first grade teacher, Rosemary Cross, (Olivia Williams) and will do anything to win her affection. There have been a lot of coming of age comedies over the years; But none quite like this. From its great script by Director/Co-Writer Wes Anderson and Co-Writer Owen Wilson, the performances of the cast, and its soundtrack., using British Invasion tunes the film is a triumph. RUSHMORE is a fitting companion to the slightly darker ROYAL TENENBAUMS (also from Anderson/Wilson). The critics have heaped a lot of praise on both of these movies and each one deserves every bit of that praise.

There are two different versions of the DVD that are available. A bare bones disc and a Criterion Collection disc with all the extras, I prefer the fully loaded DVD. The commentary track by Anderson, Wilson, and Schwartzman is very lighthearted and informative. The making of featurette is just ok. There are meaty interviews from PBS's Charlie Rose with Anderson and Murray lifted from his program. The Criterion DVD also has the movie spoofs from some of the cast created for the 1999 MTV Movie Awards, actual storyboards and neat audition tapes for the film.

If you like your movies ofbeat, then there is a lot to like about RUSHMORE. Pesonally, I recommend the Criterion version over the standard disc. but either way you decide to go, you can't lose

Rating:
Summary: Different
Review: I never truly understood the point of the whole film, but it was different. I'll give props to the kid in movie who tried so hard to make something great out of something ordinary. His infatuation with his school teacher is silly, funny yet heroic. Because the kid just never gives in.

Bill Murray is great with playing the bored Patron to the school who grows a liking to the kid. The whatever, I could care less attitude about him is very well played.

I like the small nonchalant, yet out of the ordinary point in the movie that happen in mid conversation that adds to the comic nature of the film. When the kid asks for an explanation and is quite furious, he's smoking in a Murray's car and deflt flicks some ash on the seat. In another scene, Murray is smoking two cigarettes at once.

A different film. Likable, but not one I could watch over and over again. Once is enough. I like movies with a little more visual appeal. Worth the peak.

Rating:
Summary: a truly original film
Review: This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

In this movie, 10th grader Max Fischer falls in love with the widowed 1st grade teacher at his school. Max is the undisputed king of extrcurricular activites at his school. His grades have plummeted as a result and is in danger of expulsion. He later becomes the protégée of Herman Blume, the father of twin brother students at his school. His new mentor then falls in love with the teacher and in an act of revenge, Max exposes the affair to Herman's wife.

The DVD has excellent special features.
There is audio commentary by the writers of the film and actor Jason Schwartzmann who plays Max in the film, a "making of Rushmore" press film, short theatrical adaptations films released at the time Rushmore was which aired on the MTV movie awards, screen tests and audtions of the child actors and actress in the film, Chrlie Rose Show interview with actor Bill Murray and Director/co-writer Wes Anderson, and drawn storyboards with film comparison and, several pictures of props, drawings and other items from the film. There is also a foldout map showing key events in the film.