The Hits & Misses of Wes Anderson

Rushmore – Hit

By DAVID WEINER

While Bottle Rocket may have put Wes Anderson on the map, 1998's Rushmore thrust the Texas filmmaker into the top echelon of enviable indie filmmakers with this comedic love triangle featuring the elusive Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman and Olivia Williams. Schwartzman's career peaked early with his portrayal of Max Fischer, an eccentric high school student who vies for the affections of beautiful older teacher Williams against Murray's deadpan, rich industrialist Herman Blume. Driven by a fantastic, British Invasion soundtrack (in between the whimsical stylings of former Devo musician Mark Mothersbaugh) and precocious dialogue, Rushmore created the template for many a Wes Anderson movie to come.