 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Rushmore - DVD
Writers: Wes Anderson and Owen WilsonDirector: Wes Anderson Producers: Barry Mendel and Paul Schiff Studio: Touchstone Pictures (distributed by Buena Vista) Characters: Jason Schwartzman - Max Fischer Bill Murray - Herman Blume Olivia Williams - Rosemary Cross Features: Widescreen Format, Theatrical Trailer, English Subtitles. That's it. No foreign language tracks, no other subtitles, no nuthin'... Review: I remember the first time I saw the trailer for Rushmore. It touted the film as a comedy about a feud between an over-exuberantly extra-curricular high school student and some dude played by Bill Murray. Though not the trailer offered on the DVD, this is certainly one facet of the film, and I guess it's as good a focus as any, but there is so much more to this movie. Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson have managed to pack more quality into this film than most writers do into a career. The writing is great, but it is the way the film is put together that really makes it. There is so much charm, wit, and care to be found in every frame of this film that it demands attention, an open mind, and (eventually) numerous viewings. Schwartzman does a convincing and admirable job in this, his first film (despite his impressive Coppola family pedigree -- which Nicholas Cage shares). I read in the local paper (Rushmore was filmed here in Houston at the former High School of writer/director Wes Anderson) that Anderson had originally had a very different Max in mind -- the thin, pale, nerdy type -- but that he was struck with Schwartzman's energy and ability and cast him on the spot. That should be a testament to his performance. Olivia Williams does a good job too, but she is somewhat overshadowed by Schwartzman and especially by Bill Murray. You may have heard some talk about Bill Murray being robbed of a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This talk is extremely accurate, and it grows more obvious with each viewing (this was the fourth time I have seen the movie, I think). It is Murray's subtle portrayal of self-loathing, child-like millionaire Herman Blume that adds a deeper emotional impact than that offered by the rest of the film. When I first saw the film, I wanted to sing its praises to our throngs of loyal viewers, but for some reason I never got around to it. I'm glad that I have gotten the chance (sometimes it's hard to beat Ken to the punch). I don't know anybody who has seen the movie and not liked it, though admittedly not everyone fell in love with it the way I have -- I have gotten a few shocked looks when I said I liked it better than The Matrix. Oh, while I'm at it, I should plug the soundtrack, too. This album has grown to be one of my very favorites, and I just noticed today that there are actually two really good songs in the movie that didn't make the cut. As for the DVD, it's a damn shame that Buena Vista had anything to do with this film. Of course, they aren't the only ones that try to peddle their substantially sub-par DVDs to a relatively unsuspecting public. Wes Anderson's previous film, Bottle Rocket, was made by Columbia, and its DVD is similarly abysmal. The fact of the matter, though, is that this movie belongs in almost everyone's home no matter the quality of the DVD. I would buy this (gasp!) on VHS if it weren't on DVD, so I certainly don't advocate avoiding it on anamorphic principles or anything. Unfortunately, Buena Vista also has a tendency toward relatively high prices, but Reel.com has it for $20.99, which is the best price I've seen. Please please give the movie a try if you haven't seen it, and if you have, see it again. Not only did you miss some the first time, all the good stuff is even better the second time around. Given the late-breaking news that Criterion will be issuing their own version of this film, I must alter my recomendations. No one should purchase the Buena Vista release of Rushmore. I repeat... No One should purchase the Buena Vista release of Rushmore. Wait until Criterion releases their version and snap it up with all speed. Thank you. -- John
|
copyright ®1999