|
|
Rating:  - Wes Anderson rocks
This is such a smart, funny, thoughtful film. Jason Schwartzman's Max is character for the ages, the spirit of what can be, Bill Murray delivers, the story is well written, the soundtrack is great, if you like good films, check this out, as well as Royal Tennenbaums.
Rating:  - An American original
"Rushmore" is one of the most original American films I've ever seen. That does not necessarily make it among the best or most memorable I've ever seen (it isn't) but it is clearly one of the most original and mold-breaking excursions in comedy.
Jason Schwartzman -- Talia Shire's son -- played the lead in this 1998 dramedy as Max Fischer, a 15-year-old attending the prestigious Rushmore Academy in Houston. Max is everything -- head of the fencing team, the beekeepers, most other oddball clubs -- except a very good student. This becomes his downfall and, finally, his salvation.
There's not much point in describing what goes on in the movie, its script, or its other actors (including Bill Murray in one of those roles that defined him in middle age before his breakout in "Lost In Transition") other than to say this film merges elements of romance, teen hijinks, class warfare and derision into a stew that almost no one will be able to resist.
There is something you've never seen in a film before happening in almost every scene. While the ending is perfectly predicatable and acceptable, you'll enjoy yourself a great deal getting from the opening credits to there. It will be 90 minutes of enjoyment the likes of which you won't repeat too soon. Rent, borrow or buy "Rushmore" today and be prepared to exhibit an American original.
Rating: - The Paths of Glory Lead But to the Grave
I am the author of
Striking It Rich: Golf in the Kingdom with Generals, Patients and Pros
Such is the epitaph on the tombstome of Max's deceased mother, Eloise. It serves as his mantra as well which he repeats in Latin ("sic transit gloria") both in life and in his final play about the Vietnam War.
Max lives for the moment because he has found where he wants to be for the rest of his life- at Rushmore- hopefully making lots of babies with Miss Cross. This is why he doesn't bother to study or do his homework (Derk: " What about the essay on the Berlin Airlift?" Max: "Oh right... I got an extension").
There is a problem with all of this scheming of course. Its called reality. Max lives in a dream world, solving geometry problems in his imagination that stumped the best mathmaticians in the world yet he can't pass a high school geometry class. Reality: its a b.tch isn't it? But Max manages to survive because he is a lover of life and a gifted manipulator with a heart for inclusion. It isn't until a chance follow-up reunionwith Margaret Yang (who is half reality-half fantasy) that he sees a workable balance (Max: "I heard on Action 13 that the Navy was going to buy your science project." Margaret: "Not any more. It was a fake. I thought it would work but it didn't so I faked the results. Anyway it was nice seeing you." ) Ah. music to Max's ear and the look in Jason Schwartzman's eye said "love". He had met his soul mate.
I know some reviewers didn't like this movie and I respect their opinions but I thought it was brilliant in almost every way. I loved the look of the film. Anderson matched the colors perfectly and used a film stock that made the blacks richer, the whites ashen and the reds velvety- a gorgeous film. The script was superb with some very funny lines. (Miss Cross:.."but my thesis was on Latin American economiuc policy."Max: "Did you hear they're going to cancel Latin?")And of course the O.R. scrubs line. I have only one problem with the script; the scene where Max snitched on Mr. Blume to his wife (about Blume's affair with Miss Cross).... This was out of character for Max (even though bringing refreshments was a nice character-defining touch) and I suspect Wes Anderson was uncomfortable with this. Could that be why he drowned out Max's words with the background noise? I bet he shot it straight and later decided to drown it out.
This film was very interesting for me to study as I prepare to shoot the movie version of my book: "Striking It Rich: Golf in the Kingdom with Generals Patients and Pros". Thank you Wes Anderson.
Rating: - A Most Perfect Comedy
Director Wes Anderson crafts an excellent exploration in the gamut of emotions, with a cast that captures the essence of each moment, with an emphasis on stage presence.
Each of the featured characters is scarred by one or more of the following: loss, lies and love. The juxtaposition throughout of how it affects the individual and the situation with others involved is subtle, yet vital.
Jason Schwartzman is the rebellious teen, Max Fischer, whose life is structured around his extra-curricular responsibilities at Rushmore Academy. But he is teetering on expulsion due to poor grades, though he has a gift in playwriting and bringing people into his real-life drama.
Bill Murray (school booster, Mr. Blume) and Olivia Williams (first grade teacher, Miss Cross), respectively, capture the hard work of a man who has built great wealth - in the steel industry - but has not forgotten where he came from and the young, overqualified teacher who has special, altruistic reasons to enter the field.
With each scene building upon each other, there is not a wasted moment in the 93 minutes, with the climax being a rich and fitting means for the cast to take a bow.
A soundtrack which highlights the sounds from the British Invasion adds a timeless, pop culture quality to this most perfect comedy.
Rating:  - Rushmore
When I began to watch "Rushmore," I had no idea where it was headed. There seemed to be no direction of the story and I was ready to be bored for an hour or two. I was close to even turning it off. In the end, I realized that would have been a huge mistake, because I would have missed out on a great, little film.
Max Fischer (Jason Schwarzman) is in love with the school at which he attends: Rushmore Academy. He's the president of chess club, German club, and French club, as well as the founder of the dodgeball society, the Max Fischer players, and tons more. He's also the worst student at the school. As it begins to look gloomy for Max, things begin to brighten up when he falls for a first-grade teacher, Miss Cross (Olivia Williams). Unfortunately, Max isn't the only one who has his eye on the teacher. Mr. Blume (Bill Murray) falls for her as well. The two duke it out for Miss Cross' feelings as Max juggles with love, friendships, school, and a play about the Vietnam War.
I always thought of director Wes Anderson as a filmmaker you either love or hate. Not to say that I despise him or his films, but I just never really "got" them. I fell asleep during "The Life Aquatic" and although I liked "The Royal Tenenbaums", I wasn't thrilled or engaged by it. "Rushmore" works the best for me, mainly because of how focused it is. It's the observation of one character unlike say "The Royal Tenenbaums." Since this is the case, I have a better time trying to understand what the certain character is doing and why, instead of having to switch back and forth between many characters.
Jason Schwartzman is Max Fischer. Determined, caring, awkward, obsessed, and upset, Schwartzman does it all. Bill Murray is great as Max's enemy. The dialogue between the two is well done and never feels forced. Their dream girl is played beautifully by Olivia Williams, who does a remarkable job. The rest of the cast do fine as well.
Wes Anderson moves the story along at a fairly slow pace, which actually benefits the story. I particulary enjoyed the off-kilter editing that he employs throughout the film. I found it to be a nice parallel with Max's mindset in every situation that he is in.
Overall, "Rushmore" is a good film. As I said before, Wes Anderson is a director that you can either take or leave. If you enjoy his films, you'll certainly enjoy this. Even if you're not though, it's still worth checking out. It may move at a slow, deliberate pace, but it's got a great story to tell, filled to the brim with great characters and some solid direction.
|
|