2. Rushmore
Andersons breakout film. A bracingly fresh and audacious take on a 15 year old prep school kid named Max Fischer, played brilliantly by Jason Schwartzman, as he falls into an infatuation with a teacher at his school. The film is beautifully shot, with the development and honing of Anderson camerawork clear to see, as well as a greater leap from Bottle Rocket is the zingy, comic nature of the screenplay written by Anderson and Owen Wilson. The film is notable for its breakout performance by Jason Schwartzman, who plays Max with an eerie, haunting creepiness while always retaining some form of sympathy from the audience. His character is incredibly smart, as nerds are and it is something he is incredibly aware of, delving into extra curricular activities that he deems important rather than focusing on his studies. He is brash, arrogant and pompous but delving into love brings out both the good and the bad in him, ultimately resolving in the films conclusion as acceptance, able to move on. Another notable mention is that of Bill Murray who forged a second career as a serious drama actor after his brilliant performance as Herman Blume, rival to Max for the affections of Rosemary Cross, played by Olivia Williams. Rushmore is a brilliantly crafted movie, again something that is sure foot from Anderson, with the soundtrack playing again to the late 60s/early 70s rock that feels similar to The Life Aquatic. The film wasnt commercially successful on release, but over the years, due to critical acclaim and word of moth, has built a cult following from devotees who believe this to be the definitive Anderson film. I believed this myself, until I saw Moonrise Kingdom.