Rushmore is a 1998 dramedy directed by Wes Anderson and starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, and Olivia Williams. This is the film that helped launch Anderson and Schwartzman’s careers, giving them a permanent place in the indie spotlight. While it wasn’t a success a the box office, it was heralded by critics and soon developed an intense cult following.
Max Fischer’s (Schwartzman) reason for living is attending Rushmore private school. You would think he was a model student or a teacher’s pet, but he consistently fails all of his classes. He really excels when it comes to extracurricular activities. From the beekeeping society and calligraphy club to the production of plays, Max Fischer does them all.
This comfortable position as king of extracurricular activities is challenged when Fischer is put on academic probation and a new teacher, Ms. Cross (Williams) joins the staff at Rushmore. Fischer immediately falls in love with Ms. Cross, and becomes increasingly obsessed with her despite his wealthy industrialist friend Herman Blume’s (Murray) advice to let her go. It turns out Herman Blume is also attracted to Ms. Cross, but Fischer does not know this.
Things take a turn for the worst when Fischer tries to break ground for an aquarium without the school’s permission. He is promptly expelled and sent, for the first time, to a public school. If this wasn’t bad enough, Fischer discovers Blume’s affair with Ms. Cross, and the two quickly become mortal enemies, engaging in back-and-forth acts of revenge. Only intervention from Ms. Cross and Max’s friend Dirk save their friendship and restore Max’s interest in school and extracurricular activities.
Cast
Jason Schwartzman as Max Fischer
Bill Murray as Herman Blume
Olivia Williams as Rosemary Cross
Seymour Cassel as Bert Fischer
Brian Cox as Dr. Nelson Guggenheim
Mason Gamble as Dirk Calloway
Sara Tanaka as Margaret Yang
Connie Nielsen as Mrs. Calloway
Luke Wilson as Dr. Peter Flynn
Stephen McCole as Magnus Buchan
Kumar Pallana as Mr. Littlejean
via vivydish.wordpress.com