Rushmore

Rushmore, Anderson’s second film that, like his first, Bottle Rocket, was written by the director with Owen C. Wilson, is a considerable step towards Anderson’s signature style – less explicitly comedic and more inclined to whimsy and quirkiness with a touch of angst and nostalgia for the losr world of childhood innocence, all clothed in slightly old-fashioned garb and accompanied by jaunty pop music.

The engaging scenario deals with a precocious high school student, Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman who would become an Anderson regular) whose fertile imagination gets him into no end of trouble.  He strikes up a friendship with ex-alumnus and school benefactor, Herman Blume (Bill Murray, also a to-be Anderson regular)  but when they both get a crush on primary teacher, Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams), Max’s immaturity and instability emerges.

Both Schwartzman and Murray thrive in the Anderson’s slightly skewed world whilst the romance is provided by Ms William’s refined sadness. Taken in itself, Rushmore is easily dismissed, but for Anderson fans the director’s precise imaginary world-building really starts here.

 

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