Bill Murrey, smoking (?) a cigarette, dives in his pool. Genius.

**Not exactly perfect, but damn near it.** Soundtrack is top notch. Everyone is stellar in this. Max’s plays are so great.

this is a really funny movie actually. just loved it. again the concept is unique to my knowledge. never seen a similar movie before. i gues wes anderon can always suprise me, but i feel that his work is little bit overrated, dont get me wrong he is a great writer/director.

Well, it's a Wes Anderson movie, and that alone is usually enough for most people to draw their own conclusions. He's a divisive filmmaker and it doesn't seem like there's much middle ground between those who love him and those who loathe him. Count me in the former camp. For what it's worth, _Rushmore_ is probably Anderson at his most accessible. All the hallmarks are here - the cast is thoroughly quirky, the cinematography obsessively detail-focused, the soundtrack firmly planted in lyrically-appropriate 60s and 70s rock - but it's all somewhat toned down from his usual level; less in-your-face, take-it-or-leave-it. The film's subject, an insular private school and the odd, hyper-focused youths who proudly call it home, lends itself to such idiosyncrasies. Here we find all manner of brilliant young minds, developed well past their years in some respects but stunted in many others. That essential duality is interesting, amusing, understandable. They've been taught to solve for x and y, to adapt mature films for the stage (example: _Serpico_ for kids), but remain remedial students of human interaction. Max, the focus of this personality-driven black comedy, is a perfect exhibit. At fifteen, it looks like his best days are already behind him and he struggles to compensate with a flood of strangely specific extracurriculars and, later, a sadly misguided reach for forbidden fruit: a smart, attractive, widowed first-grade teacher. He's accompanied by a colorful fabric of supporting characters. Plenty of amusingly unbalanced students, sure, but also a curious batch of equally dysfunctional adults. Bill Murray works magic with one of these roles, a tough mix of frustrated parent, self-loathing businessman, unexpected mentor and hopeful suitor. He and Jason Schwartzman (Max) share instant chemistry and the film wisely sticks them together like glue, even when their characters are at each other's throats. In all, _Rushmore_ is a well-tuned, somewhat downplayed, dose of the Anderson style: funny, driven, melancholy and genuine. His films might not speak to everyone, but they usually hit the mark for me. This is one of the best.

I really enjoyed this. It was silly and funny. Jason Schwartman and Bill Murray are both great and have great chemistry and a fun rivalry. Max is a little bit of a prick but it's interesting to see how far he will go. I like the camera work, the unique shots and symmetry. The soundtrack is pretty great too.