Watch: Max Fischer Players From 'Rushmore' Present 'The Truman Show,' 'Armageddon' And 'Out Of Sight'
When Wes Anderson released his 1998 sophomore feature “Rushmore” to almost universal acclaim, it was clear that the seeds of his now-trademark style had not yet fully blossomed. Yet they had certainly been planted: the perfectly symmetrical frames, meticulous color schemes and abundant doses of melancholia and deadpan humor all began to take root in Anderson’s quietly mesmerizing film, a funny and evocative look at young manhood and the perils of idealism. This was a decided point of contrast from his more naturalistic debut film “Bottle Rocket,” a picture every bit the equal of “Rushmore” in its own humble way. Anderson’s particular style of filmmaking would extend to polarizing extremes in his next few features, most notably his “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,” which has grown in stature and emotional resonance since its 2004 release to become perhaps the director’s most overlooked film.
But one could argue “Rushmore” is really where it all began. It is impossible to...