Why Wes Anderson’s Rushmore Remains the Ultimate Comfort Film in 2025

Picture this: it’s a gloomy Sunday afternoon in 2025, and I’m sprawled on my sofa, reaching for that one film that never fails to lift my spirits. For me, that’s Wes Anderson’s 1998 masterpiece Rushmore. Like a perfectly worn-in jumper or your nan’s signature tea blend, some comforts just get better with age. But what makes this quirky comedy about an ambitious schoolboy and his unlikely friendship with a melancholic industrialist such a reliable mood-booster?

The Magic of Max Fischer’s World

At its heart, Rushmore is pure cinematic dopamine. Jason Schwartzman’s Max Fischer – the world’s worst student but Rushmore Academy’s most passionate extracurricular enthusiast – reminds me of every theatre kid I knew at school (and yes, I was absolutely one of them). His determination to stage increasingly elaborate plays while pursuing the affections of teacher Miss Cross (Olivia Williams) is both cringe-worthy and oddly inspiring.

In today’s endless scroll of doom and gloom, there’s something properly refreshing about watching someone who’s so unabashedly themselves. Wouldn’t we all be a bit happier if we attacked life with Max’s boundless confidence? Even if, like him, we’re absolutely winging it most of the time.

Bill Murray’s Perfect Performance

Before his current renaissance in Anderson’s latest films, Bill Murray gave us Herman Blume – perhaps his finest performance to date. As a depressed millionaire who finds an unlikely kindred spirit in Max, Murray brings a subtle heartbreak to every scene. Their friendship, complicated by their mutual attraction to Miss Cross, showcases something rare in modern cinema: genuine emotional growth that never feels forced or preachy.

Why It Hits Different in 2025

In an era where streaming algorithms keep pushing us toward the latest content, there’s something magical about returning to a film that feels both timeless and surprisingly relevant. The themes of imposter syndrome, finding your tribe, and learning to be okay with failure hit even harder in our achievement-obsessed culture.

What makes Rushmore the perfect comfort watch isn’t just its humour or Anderson’s meticulous aesthetic – it’s how it reminds us that it’s okay to be a bit weird, to fail spectacularly, and to keep trying anyway.

FAQ: Your Rushmore Questions Answered

Where can I watch Rushmore in 2025?

The film is currently available on several streaming platforms, including the Criterion Channel and Disney+. For the full Anderson experience, the recently released 4K restoration is absolutely worth seeking out.

Is Rushmore Wes Anderson’s best film?

While Anderson’s style has evolved with films like The Grand Budapest Hotel and this year’s Wonderful Story, Rushmore remains his most perfectly balanced work – combining his signature aesthetic with raw emotional authenticity.

What makes it such a good comfort film?

Its combination of genuine heart, quotable dialogue, and ultimately optimistic worldview makes it perfect for those moments when you need a reminder that life’s awkward moments often lead to the best stories.

The Bottom Line

Twenty-seven years after its release, Rushmore continues to work its magic because it understands something fundamental about human nature: we’re all just trying our best, even when our best looks absolutely bonkers to everyone else. In 2025, as we navigate an increasingly complex world, there’s something properly comforting about that message.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to watch it again. Anyone fancy joining? I’ll put the kettle on.