Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jason Schwartzman | ... | Max Fischer | |
Bill Murray | ... | Herman Blume | |
Olivia Williams | ... | Rosemary Cross | |
Seymour Cassel | ... | Bert Fischer | |
Brian Cox | ... | Dr. Nelson Guggenheim | |
Mason Gamble | ... | Dirk Calloway | |
Sara Tanaka | ... | Margaret Yang | |
Stephen McCole | ... | Magnus Buchan | |
Connie Nielsen | ... | Mrs. Calloway | |
Luke Wilson | ... | Dr. Peter Flynn | |
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Dipak Pallana | ... | Mr. Adams (as Deepak Pallana) |
Andrew Wilson | ... | Coach Beck | |
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Marietta Marich | ... | Mrs. Guggenheim |
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Ronnie McCawley | ... | Ronny Blume |
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Keith McCawley | ... | Donny Blume |
Max Fischer is a precocious 15-year-old whose reason for living is his attendance at Rushmore, a private school where he's not doing well in any of his classes, but where he's the king of extracurricular activities - from being in the beekeeping society to writing and producing plays, there's very little after school he doesn't do. His life begins to change, however, when he finds out he's on academic probation, and when he stumbles into love with Miss Cross, a pretty teacher of the elementary school at Rushmore. Added to the mix is his friendship with Herman Blume, wealthy industrialist and father to boys who attend the school, and who also finds himself attracted to Miss Cross. Max's fate becomes inextricably tied to this odd love triangle, and how he sets about resolving it is the story in the film. Written by Gary Dickerson <slug@mail. utexas.edu>
Having seen many Wes Anderson films before this one, it's harder to appreciate how fresh and original Rushmore was in 1998. That being said, I can still appreciate the great characters, idiosyncratic style, and fabulous soundtrack. Bill Murray owes Anderson a debt of gratitude for reviving his career and Anderson owes Murray for bringing some heavyweight comedic talent to his film and putting him on the map. Rushmore is definitely weird, but ultimately sweet and rewarding.