Rushmore

'Rushmore' (1998) is directed by Wes Anderson, he is well known for his work and has been described as an auteur, meaning his work is very recognisable and he has a good visual style.
As a class we watched the opening of Rushmore and focused on the main character, Max Fischer, we had to discuss our thoughts on whether he is a stereotypical teenager, we all agreed on the answer 'no'. This was because as we watched the opening it showed him taking part in every single club at Rushmore College. He tries everything possible in life to find something he excels in, this isn't the behaviour of the average stereotypical teenager, they're usually described as lazy. Max also dresses formally in his suit and tie every day with evenly combed hair and glasses, the stereotypical teenager would wear comfortable clothes and try and fit in with the latest fashion trends.
There is a montage sequence within Rushmore, this means that a short section of the film shows time passing quickly and the events within this time, the montage is usually accompanied by a suitable song. From watching the montage, we find out that Max may well participate in every club and more, but he is no good at anything he does. For example, he's the leader and founder of every team and club, however he's only on a yellow belt in karate, he's only flown for 4.5 hours in the flying club, he's the second conductor in the choir.
At the start of the montage it shows the Rushmore school journal cover, there are decorative bees flying upwards on one side of the journal cover, this could represent that he 'flies' from one activity to another leaving a trace of him behind in each group, just like a bee with pollen from flowers. Equally it could suggest that he's 'as busy as a bee' or that he is 'the bee's knees' which also stands out as not being the stereotypical teenager. My last thought on the meaning of the bees is that they could portray his hopeful attitude as they're flying upwards to the sky, insinuating Max's dreams as he looks up and imagines what life would be like if he excelled in something.
The music playing through the montage is 'The Creation - Making Time' the style of song is happy and hopeful, but also there is a lot going on instrument-wise within this piece of music, this could link to the fact a lot is going on in Max's life. The reason his life has so much going on in it is because he's part of 18 school clubs and teams:
Yankee review Publisher - he leads the others, and is dressed smarter than the other members of the school newspaper team.
French Club President - he is wearing his school suit with a red beret and sash to symbolise his role.
Model United Nations - he's representing Russia, which is a country with power - he has power over Mexico and India on each side of him in the meeting.
Stamp and Coin club Vice President - this is unusual for typical teenagers, is he the only member?
Debate Team Captain - Max is an outsider, wearing his school suit - no one else is... money?
Lacrosse Team Management - in his school uniform on the side of the pitch, sat next to the jocks of the school, organising some equipment.
Calligraphy club - president, perfectionist work, alone in the club?
Astronomy society - founder, wearing the red beret, holding the books whilst everyone looks through telescopes.
Fencing Team Captain - school chinos and fencing gear, looks content with the team (it's a rich boy's sport)
Track and Field JV. Decathlon - no one else runs with him, you would expect to see the whole team behind him, alone.
2nd Chorale Choirmaster - wearing the school suit, feels like a leader.
Bombardment Society Founder - posh name for dodge ball, still wearing his suit uniform whilst playing.
Kung Fu Club - yellow belt, which is one of the first stages within Kung Fu, he's the eldest member with the lowest position.
Trap and Skeet club founder - (clay pigeon shooting in England) wearing his suit, has correct headphones and a wingman though.
Rushmore beekeeping - president of the club, there are two members including himself.
Go-karting - wearing the beret from the French club, three people are going around the circuit, he has a rubbish go-kart compared to the rest... money?
Max Fischer Players - a drama club, he named it after himself - leaving his trace.
Piper Cub Club - flying club, 4.5 hours (amateur) wearing traditional scarf and goggles.


The song playing in the background fades out at the end of the montage, the last line of lyrics is 'pulling the wool, acting the fool.' This suggests that the song is relevant to Max's character, he pulls the wool over peoples eyes and makes it look like he knows everything about anything, but he's acting the fool by wearing his suit all the time and generally not being good at anything he does.