Rushmore Reviews

Shares the same family tree as Election

Pie in the face it's not. A classy left of centre offering - from the same family tree as Election - charmingly skewed - deliciously dark in places -

Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman are both terrific - Schwartzman a revelation as he matches the dissaffected Murray at his desolate best. Much like Max - this won't be to everyone's taste.

It might not have made the Multiplex pass rate - but this is a worthy successor to Bottle Rocket and a precursor to Royal and his family.

Well deserving of its cult reputation.

Wry and vicious in equal measures - a gently humorous delight.

Thank you...not!

Rushmore is a useful film. Useful because it reminds us that film-making is a delicate, nuanced art, not easily mastered. Useful because it reminds us that films should either educate or entertain - preferably, although not very often, both. It is useful because it reminds us that a films depend on a strong plot, excellent characterisation, competent performances, all round enthusiasm.

Rushmore fails on all points. Overblown, pretentious, shallow, vapid - Rushmore is possibly the worst film I have watched in ten years (and this includes the flashbacks I still suffer from 'Gigli'). Watch at your peril.

Believe the hype

If you like your movies more thought provoking, wicked, a little quirky then Rushmore is for you! A big brother to The Royal Tennenbaums but you know I like this one even better - obviously my brain is confused because I saw them in the wrong order but the style and quality are so evident in both.The signature style is plain to see here already - a total immersible world so detailed and enticing. You know there is always a film which slips through your viewing net...people tell you that you must see it, and time just passes?

Well I may be 6 years late but may I get on the bandwagon for this movie ? It is a refreshing a film I have seen in eons.

The casting truly a revelation. Is it too much to say that every part in this movie is cast to perfection? Bill Murray showing again that he will only get in front of the camera for an innovative script (laudits to Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson - how can a guy who acts so dumb be so great a writer?)

Jason Schwartzman - in his first movie is astounding ( did you know that he is Talia Shire's son, therefore Sofia Coppola and Nic Cage's cousin ?)

Brits Olivia Williams and Brian Cox balance the movie out with the best and most believable kids seen on screen for years - you feel that you really have stepped into Rushmore Academy and the world therein.

Please give this movie a chance.It's originality and vivacity simply scream out !

Hilarious!

A great great film! the first time I saw this a few years back I didn't really give it a chance. I dunno, I just kinda felt it was trying too hard to be 'cool' in that geeky arthouse kind of way.

Clearly, I was insane. This is brilliant, with a PERFECT ending. I've never known better use of a song in film. A great great film, truly hilarious and original and a lesson on how to tell a good story.

dj152@aol.com

Not your average 'school' film

The last few years have seen a more serious side to Bill Murray - yes he has appeared in films of a comedic nature, but they have been a little more 'black' than previous outings. And with films like this, The Royal Tenenbaums and Lost in Translation under his belt, that's not such a bad thing.

The acting in this is great, not least from Schwartzman who as a non-academic Rushmore student is the sort of enterprising pupil every prestigious school should have!

Praise also to the brilliant Owen Wilson who co-wrote this with director Wes Anderson - demonstrating (as he did with Tenenbaums) that should he ever get tired of appearing in front of the cameras, a very serious and lucrative second career as writer/producer (and possibly director) might just beckon.

If you like sharp, darkish comedies with subtle yet rounded performances, give this a go.

Kids weren't this eccentric in my day

Similar in tone and style to Wes Anderson's following feature "The Royal Tenenbaums", "Rushmore" is an attack on privilege and the American Dream from within.

Managing to be both very intelligent and utterly stupid, the story deals with Max Fischer, a student at elite school Rushmore.

Max, the bespectacled nerd, is a member of virtually every club at school, however his grades suffer and is in danger of being kicked out. He falls in love with teacher Rosemary Cross who can see Max's inner spark. Herman Blume, played exquisitely by Bill Murray, identifies Max's talents and becomes his mentor and later opponent for Rosemary's love. Murray displays the multi-faceted nature of the character that is at times tragic and wildly funny.

The film's central thesis deals with the way society places too much pressure on the young to become adults overnight. Max is an adult trapped in a 15 year old's body while his love rival Blume is almost childlike, despite being in his 50's.

Very post-modern in tone, it refutes the societal claims that you must work hard to succeed. It paints the children of the privileged as hollow robots. The film shows everyone has unique talents and these abilities should be nurtured in order to create a diverse society.

The film's distinct and vivid tone is aided by an excellent, predominantly, 60's soundtrack.

We need more risk taking filmmakers like Wes Anderson, who elevate the independent comedy to an intelligent level far above the usual Hollywood pap.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Jason Schwartzman for president

...well i'd vote for him. What a glorious film this is.

Viva Max!

This is an absolute gem.

Anderson draws on aspects of his own and co-writer Owen Wilson's schooldays, gives them a massive twist and comes up with this startlingly original charmer.

He gives his protagonist Max the self-assurance and chutzpah of an exceptionally confident grown man in the body of a less-bright-than-he-thinks 15 year old boy, who by all rights should have been cripplingly shy. Much of the film consists of picking up that ball and running with it to striking comic effect. Any expectations about tone are gleefully confounded throughout; the film is flippant where you expect it to be serious, deadpan where you expect slapstick, and just when you think you've got the measure of it, gives you a hefty emotional kick.

Murray is excellent, Olivia Williams is luminous and Schwartzman perfect in his first role.

I would describe the wonderful soundtrack (who else would put a Creation track in a movie in 1998?) as the icing on the cake, but it's more than that. The songs used are integral to the writing and feel of the film, sometimes supporting the action, sometimes heading off at right-angles from it, but always absolutely perfect for the moment.

Anderson does for movie-making what Heston Blumenthal does for food. See it.

Another success

Intelligent, quirky humor. Eccentric but fascinating cast of characters. Nostaligia. And a life-goes-on resolution. All the Wes Anderson qualities are here in this great film. Plus a meatier role from Bill Murray than we had in Royal Tannenbaums--his character is sad, endearing and funny and Murray does it brilliantly.

If you've had the chance to see Bottle rocket and liked it, or seen the Royal Tannenbaums and loved it, then this is for you.

Is Latin a dead language?

I love this film. It is a great taster for the next few films Wes Anderson went on to do. Very funny in a melancholic kind of way and it is beautifully shot. A must see.