Assignment 7: Analyzing Rushmore

Theme:

This scene from Rushmore is one of Wes Anderson’s more straight forward scenes of all his films.  Both character’s claim that a girl was their Rushmore.  This implies that they are both looking for what matters to them the most and what makes them keep going in life, since max’s love for his school (Rushmore) is the reason he is a diehard playwright and overall an active person.  All in all the theme of this movie is find what keeps you going and harness it to make it into who you are.

 Analysis: 

Aesthetically I want to discuss the scene’s movement and rhythm because its interesting me how there is next to no movement in this minute and half and how Wes Anderson used Rhythm to focus on the lack of movement.

            First, Anderson uses a static rhythm with his use of lines to add to the seriousness and awkwardness of the scene.  All the lines are linear with the trees through the cemetery being the only lines besides the virtual lines between Max and Mr. Blume.  Even Mr. Blume is standing perfectly straight.  This static rhythm goes well with the lack of movement as neither the camera or objects move for quite sometime.  However the movement is clearly based around point of interest and objects towards the end of the scene.  The camera begins to change which character is being focused on with over the shoulder shots of Blume and close-ups of Blume’s face.  Also object movement occurs as Max becomes upset and walks away.  Here we find Max walking out the frame giving the scene a movement through frame rhythm as well.

            Finally the script displays a contrast and affinity between characters and uses tension and release through the plot.  The characters are contrasted through their age, giving Max a childish point of view and Mr. Blume a weathered life point of view.  However being in the same situation over the same girl there is an extreme affinity between the characters, which is also shown through this scene as the both claim someone was their “rushmore.”  The tensions and release is displayed through their dialogue as they remain uptight with each other straight through the scene.  As their mood fails to change, tension is released through the fall of the tree breaking up the emotion and adding laughter to the situation.