By turns a coming of age comedy and a romantic, RUSHMORE is a clever, zinging film. Funny and refreshing, with swift Wes Anderson touches that are some of his best. Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) likes nothing more than starting extra curricular activity clubs. However his grades have descended into the lowest in the school. The issue now is that he might be expelled for failing to perform, so in a last gasp bid Max sets out to find help. It comes in the form of first grade teacher Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams) and self made millionaire Herman Blume (Bill Murray). The problem is that Max falls for Rosemary. She falls for Blume and now both are taking on each other in a battle of wills.

When I am asked what I think of Wes Anderson and his current works, I can often be heard saying (self absorbed and absurdly in my own opinion) that his works are often now to whimsical, the opposite person sneers. Then I often add ‘ have you seen RUSHMORE?’. Why I add this is simple. RUSHMORE proves that Anderson can guide us through his world without resorting to artifice. Bar BOTTLE ROCKET and later THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, it is hard to move to his more recent work without pining for this. Imagine a film that is tender, touching, funny and frank. Then add absurdly excessive visual chicanery. Yes, I understand that it is all in his oeuvre and some of it should be likened to fairy tales but once you have seen RUSHMORE, you have seen that all of this can be discarded for the beauty of truth over excess fiction.

What about them extras?

Yes indeed they are a site to behold. From the frankly stunning digital transfer of the film. Which is several steps up from a previous version I saw on DVD. The audio commentary that has been around before but gives insight into the films genesis, the actors ability to find a replica and of course the battle between the director and co writer over style of Max. The Max Fischer players pieces are hilarious and funny enough to watch on there own.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION

• New digital transfer of the director’s cut, supervised by director Wes Anderson, with DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
• Audio commentary featuring Anderson, cowriter Owen Wilson, and actor Jason Schwartzman
• The Making of “Rushmore,” an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary by Eric Chase Anderson
• Max Fischer Players Present, theatrical “adaptations” of Armageddon, Out of Sight, and The Truman Show, staged for the 1999 MTV Movie Awards
• Episode of The Charlie Rose Show featuring Wes Anderson and actor Bill Murray
• Audition footage
• Anderson’s hand-drawn storyboards, plus a film-to-storyboard comparison
• Original theatrical trailer
• Collectible poster
• PLUS: A new essay by film critic Dave Kehr