Common Sense Media Review
Quirky '90s comedy has profanity, sex, underage drinking.
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Rushmore
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say the film is a clever and quirky exploration of adolescent challenges, showcasing unique storytelling and visual style typical of the director. While many found it enjoyable and well-crafted, some viewers expressed concerns about inappropriate content for younger audiences, suggesting it is more suitable for teenagers and above, particularly due to its strong language and sexual references.
- quirky storytelling
- strong language
- suitable for teens
- emotional depth
- mixed audience reactions
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) is a 10th-grader on scholarship at the tony private school Rushmore Academy. Max shows his devotion to the academy by participating in every possible extracurricular activity, but he's risking expulsion unless his grades improve. Max falls for one of the teachers, a beautiful young widow (Olivia Williams). And he connects with Blume (Bill Murray), a rich academy alumnus who is drawn to Max's passions and even acts as a go-between for Max's absurd attempt at courtship, until he himself becomes attracted to the teacher. All three characters feel a sense of loss. Blume and the teacher seem stuck. Max, with his collision of adult and childish emotions, comes up with one hopeless scheme after another to get attention and respect, ignoring genuine opportunities for true friendship. Yet somehow he manages to keep working toward his dreams -- and even makes a few of them come true.
Is It Any Good?
This abstract story about the misery that comes from the grandiosity and humiliation during adolescence is probably of more interest to adults. Many teens are already only too aware of those experiences.
Rushmore is not a movie in which people learn great lessons and are drawn closer together. It's a movie in which a lot of hurt people grope toward something that even they cannot quite visualize. Its appeal is in its quirky characters and in its moments of humor and perception.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Max and Herman's rivalry. Who do you want to win? Why?
At the beginning of the movie, Max seems to use people to help him achieve his goals. What are some signals that he is learning to treat people differently by the end of the film?
Do you think artists must be selfish to create great art? Do you think the movie wants you to forgive Max as he matures into a more sympathetic person?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 11, 1998
- On DVD or streaming : June 29, 1999
- Cast : Bill Murray , Jason Schwartzman , Olivia Williams
- Director : Wes Anderson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Touchstone Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong language and sexual references
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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