Overall Rating
  Awesome: 59.79%
Worth A Look: 22.68%
Just Average: 9.28%
Pretty Crappy: 5.67%
Sucks: 2.58%
13 reviews, 116 user ratings
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Rushmore |
by Ophelia13
"Fine storytelling...without the comic timing."

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When I saw the trailers for Rushmore, I thought it would be a smart, funny revenge comedy. And it was, if you omit the word 'funny.' It's not for any lack of intelligence or humor in the script, or poor acting. It's just a bunch of jokes that you know should be amusing, but can't bring yourself to laugh out loud at. You might pull off some inward chuckling, though.Rushmore is the screen debut of Jason Schwartzman, a creepy little fellow if there ever was one. He plays Max, a failing overachiever student at Rushmore Academy. At the tender age of 15, he has already developed a talent for writing plays, taken up smoking, and fallen in love. His love interest, played by Olivia Williams, is a first grade teacher at Rushmore. Unfortunately for Max, Bill Murray is also in love with her. Murray is a rich businessman who, right off the bat, Max takes to and starts treating like a mentor. It all flows from there, into the revenge, and the reconciliation, and some pretty good practical jokes.
Unfortunately, the practical jokes have all been seen before, and instead of being paced throughout the movie, are nearly all crammed into one musical interlude. All of the rest of the poorly timed humor is spaced well, providing a steady pace of 'almost' hilarity.
Strong performances are found throughout, but nothing to rave over. None of the characters grab you, or make you cringe, or even make you feel ANYTHING. Anything at all. Bill Murray, as has been said many times, proves the rumors of his acting ability to be true here. Jason Schwartzman, being related to those in the business, makes him seem the perfect fit, although I have personal doubts as to his range. Olivia Williams is well cast, but doesn't give nearly the performance she could have.Overall, Rushmore tends to fall just short of expectations, mostly because it can't capture it's audience. It's worth seeing once, but I don't think that multiple trips to the rental store will come out of the viewing.
link directly to this review at https://www.hollywoodbitchslap.com/review.php?movie=203&reviewer=130 originally posted: 12/19/99 02:30:38
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USA 11-Dec-1998 (R)
UK N/A
Australia 18-Feb-1999 (M)
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