Ambitious Little Man: Rushmore
What could be better than an overly ambitious teen trying to outdo his middle-aged bff?
When I was in high school, I was a terrible student. Except for my English and elective classes, as well as a couple of clubs I was passionate about, I really didn’t try or care about the other subjects. I can remember zoning out during class time, never having my homework completed, and just having a general “fuck it” attitude about school.
So, when I watched the movie Rushmore for the first time, I could completely relate to the character of Max Fischer. Like me, Max was interested in clubs, socializing, and having fun, but not interested in going to class or applying himself academically. He has a reputation that precedes him; people are either big fans of his, or completely loathe him. He’s a wild card, and this nature gets him in trouble time and again.
Rushmore was directed by Wes Anderson, he also wrote the script with Owen Wilson. Anderson has a certain style that he has honed over the years with his body of work. Rushmore was his second major film, and his directing and writing style, the ones he’s famous for, are present in this movie. Anderson prefers centered shots of his characters or props, quirky dialogue and sometimes outlandish plots, sets and costumes that tell their own stories. He has a penchant for musical scores that include songs from the 60s and 70s, along with orchestral pieces to bring everything together. All of these elements make for an enjoyable watching experience.
Jason Schwartzman pulls off playing a 15-year-old Max who is obsessed with his personal passions. Schwartzman kind of looks like a teen because he’s a short king, but I feel like he really tapped into what it’s like to be this age. So much can be confusing or upsetting at this stage of life, and Schwartzman excelled at playing a character that is trying to make many marks, but lacks the emotional maturity to do so.
I mentioned that Anderson can create unusual plot points, and Rushmore is full of them. It’s kind of weird that Max has made friends with the father of some of his bullies, but, again, the unexpected is to be expected in Anderson’s films. The dad I’m talking about is Herman Blume, played by Bill Murray. He’s a beat down man who is in the middle of a midlife crisis: he’s divorced, his twin boys are ungrateful jerks towards him, he feels depressed about his lack of a romantic life, and this leads to incredible loneliness. So when he meets this super ambitious kid with big dreams and aspirations, he feels inspired and wants to get in on the action.
The pair, who are inseparable at first, become sworn enemies when they both fall for the same woman. This woman is a teacher at Max’s school, and she is totally uninterested in him romantically, but Max being Max doesn’t let that get in his way. Schwartzman and Murray are excellent together both when the characters are chummy, and when they’re sparring. They are a totally unexpected comedy duo, and watching them perform together is awesomely tickling. One of my favorite montages is of the two when they are no longer buddy buddy, and are essentially trying to ruin each other’s lives.
I love this movie, along with a handful more of Anderson’s films. It’s silly and fun, the visual aspects are eye catching, and there is just enough conflict to keep things moving forward. Even though the film is now 25 years old, I could watch it over and over again (which I have) and still be entertained by Max, Herman, and their hijinks.
