August 12, 2001

RUSHMORE  U.S., 1998. Color. Rated R. 93 Minutes. Directed by Wes Anderson. Starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams.

Although he is about to flunk out of snooty Rushmore Academy, 15-year-old iconoclast Jason Schwartzman zealously pursues his extracurricular activities at the Houston prep school. He also develops a major crush on a first-grade teacher (Olivia Williams) and a special friendship with one of the school's major benefactors (Bill Murray). Leonard Maltin, who gives Rushmore 3½ stars, calls this prize-winning independent film "A genuine original, full of keen observational humor and detail, with characters that always ring true. Remarkable debut performance by Schwartzman (son of Talia Shire) and a perfect showcase for Murray."