Rushmore (1998) 3 1/2 stars out of 4. Starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Olivia Williams.
Rushmore is one of the most original and quirky, yet charming, movies of the year.
Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) is a young nerdy type who lives and dies for his private school.
What he lacks in grades, he makes up for in enthusiasm and extra-cirricular activities. This 10th grader is editor of the school newspaper and yearbook; president of the French Club, German Club, Chess Club, Astronomy Club; captain of the fencing and debating teams; and founder and director of the Max Fischer players, who performs plays written by, who else, Max Fischer.
Max lives in his own world of denial. He is attending Rushmore Academy on a scholarship, but is placed on sudden-death academic probation because of his terrible grades.
Yet Max continues to blithely to steer his own course. He falls madly in love with Miss Cross (Olivia Williams), a first-grade teacher. To honor and impress her, as well as win her favor, he works up a plan to construct an enormous aquarium in her honor.
For the money, Max turns to Mr. Blume (Bill Murray), a steel tycoon and one of the school's biggest benefactors.
A rapport develops between the two.
But their friendship unravels when the married Mr. Blume also falls in love with Miss Cross.
Best friends become bitter rivals as Max and Blume use whatever means at their disposal to try to destroy each other.
Wes Anderson's film, which he directed and co-wrote with Owen Wilson, is not as dark as parts of it sound.
It is really rather genial, despite the mayhem that develops between Max and Blume.
As Max, Schwartzman is a bit pompous, obtuse, determined, touching and vulnerable. You admire him while simultaneously hoping he never moves into your neighborhood.
Murray is a revelation as the rich Mr. Blume, a man-child with the emotional stability of a teen-ager. He sinks to childish pranks to thwart Max's pursuit of Miss Cross. Blume is a man who has difficulty expressing his feelings. His own twin sons scorn him and he finds a surrogate in Max, whom he sees as a younger version of himself.
Rushmore is a delight, a movie that should not be missed. If you're tired of car chases, disasters and special effects, check out a movie about some oddball people. You'll be glad you did.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at bloom@journal-courier.com or at cbloom@iquest.net
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