Ebert

I’ve always believed that Rushmore was directed towards adults moreso then teenagers. The main character, Max, is at an age of confusion and awkwardness that watchers can connect with by reliving their own clumsy teenage memories of first love and loss, without the sharpness of pain, regret, or humiliation, which teenagers can experience, but instead humor. However, Ebert’s seem too displaced from Max’s age. He writes, “The movie turns into a strategic duel between Max and Blume, and that could be funny, too, except that it gets a little mean when Max spills the beans to Blume's wife, and feels too contrived.” Teenagers are pretentious and childish. I think that Anderson’s decision to have Max tattle on Blume develops his character, not detracts from it.

Ebert also says, “But their film seems torn between conflicting possibilities: It's structured like a comedy, but there are undertones of darker themes, and I almost wish they'd allowed the plot to lead them into those shadows.” I believe that it’s that in between that makes the film so watchable. Max is stuck in a time of self-discovery or identity-confusion, depending on whether you view the glass half full or half empty. Though he might do some horrible things, like we all are capable of when backed into a corner, it’s still obvious that he’s a great kid. Wes Anderson succeeds in developing a character’s redeeming and connectable qualities within times of rivalry and brutal mistakes- he humanizes his characters.

I only agree with one of Ebert’s phrases. He says, “Up until this point, even a little further, ``Rushmore'' has a kind of effortless grace. Max Fischer emerges as not just a brainy comic character, but as a kid who could do anything, if he weren't always trying to do everything” That’s Max in a nutshell.

For the most part though, Ebert’s writing is writing is awkward, unconnected, and disorganized. He oversimplifies the themes, and focuses on the history of the directors more then the film that he is reviewing.  His writing feels unbalanced and, without depth or structure, his review ends up seeming unsophisticated and rushed.

Ebert, Robert. "Rushmore." roberebert.com. Chicagosuntimes, 05 1999. Web. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990205/REVIEWS/902050303/1023>.