When a beautiful first-grade teacher arrives at a prep school, she soon attracts the attention of an ambitious teenager named Max, who quickly falls in love with her. Max turns to the father of two of his schoolmates for advice on how to woo the teacher. However, the situation soon gets complicated when Max's new friend becomes involved with her, setting the two pals against one another in a war for her attention.
Acting
Bill Murray's midlife crisis and Schwartzman's deadpan desperation.
Direction
Anderson's style emerges fully formed—symmetry with soul.
Score
British Invasion needle drops that shouldn't work but absolutely do.
Director
Wes Anderson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jason Schwartzman was discovered in a high school band video; this was his first acting role ever. He showed up to his audition in a prep school blazer he'd stolen.
The film bombed on release but built a cult following through DVD—essentially inventing the modern Wes Anderson fan. Without Rushmore, no TikTok cottagecore twee revival.
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