Rushmore: Wes Anderson’s dramedy follows two broken souls, a precocious and unfocused student and a wealthy industrialist, who form an unlikely friendship, just to have it strained as both fall in love with the same widow. They are both hiding from their own lives, each in his particular way; while the particulars are very specific, the idea that one may be lost in life is recognizable and relatable, and Anderson’s humanist touch, as he doesn’t judge or look down at his characters, makes it all the more touching. Jason Schwartzman plays the young student, a clear bright-eyed dreamer, while Bill Murray plays the depressed rich man; both of the performances are in a low, subdued key which accentuates the emotional moments. Olivia Williams plays their love interest, and it’s not hard to see why both infatuations pop up. Anderson was starting to ease into his visual style; cinematographer Robert D. Yeoman uses plenty of distinctive shots, and production designer David Wasco and costume designer Karen Patch offer a good deal of character to their work. The use of music is excellent, with both the licensed songs and composer Mark Mothersbaugh’s original score showing up in the perfect places.