Rushmore

Main Plot

Rushmore follows the story of Max Fischer, an ambitious and eccentric high school student at Rushmore Academy. Despite his lack of academic success, Max is heavily involved in various extracurricular activities, including theater and fencing, which often leads to conflicts with the school's administration. His life takes a turn when he develops a crush on a widowed elementary school teacher, Miss Cross. In an attempt to win her affection, Max befriends a wealthy industrialist, Herman Blume, who also has feelings for Miss Cross. As the three become entangled in a complicated love triangle, Max's relentless pursuit of his goals and his rivalry with Blume escalate, leading to a series of comedic and poignant events. The film explores themes of ambition, friendship, and the challenges of adolescence against the backdrop of a quirky, stylized world.

Characters

• Jason Schwartzman plays Max Fischer, an eccentric high school student who becomes entangled in a love triangle with a teacher and a wealthy industrialist.
• Bill Murray plays Herman Blume, a disillusioned industrialist who befriends the protagonist, Max Fischer, and becomes entangled in a love triangle with a teacher.
• Olivia Williams plays Rosemary Cross, a widowed first-grade teacher who becomes the object of affection for the protagonist, Max Fischer, complicating his relationships and ambitions.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Rushmore, the main conflict reaches resolution as Max Fischer, a precocious student at Rushmore Academy, comes to terms with his feelings for Margaret Yang and his rivalry with Herman Blume. After a series of misadventures and misunderstandings, Max stages a grand play, which serves as a culmination of his creative ambitions and a way to express his feelings. The play becomes a pivotal moment, showcasing not only Max's talent but also his growth as a person. As the performance unfolds, it becomes clear that Max's obsession with Margaret is not reciprocated in the way he hoped. However, the experience helps him realize that he must move on and focus on his future. Meanwhile, Herman, who has been entangled in his own midlife crisis, finds a sense of closure and purpose through his relationship with the school and his eventual support of Max. The film concludes with Max embracing new opportunities, hinting at a more mature outlook on life. The ending reinforces the themes of ambition, friendship, and the bittersweet nature of growing up, leaving viewers with a sense of hope and the understanding that life's challenges can lead to personal growth and new beginnings.