Max is a homely 10th-grade scholarship boy at Rushmore, a private school where he fails classes but constantly organizes clubs and plays. He befriends a depressed local factory magnate, Blume, and falls for a recently widowed teacher, Ms. Cross. When a scheme gets him expelled, he tries his Rushmore style at the local high school. He ignores the proffered friendship of a student, Margaret, to pursue the unattainable Ms. Cross. Max discovers Blume also loves her; he seeks vengeance, Blume retaliates, war ensues, and Max's troubles deepen. Rescue comes from unexpected places, including his sweet father, a barber. Can Max accept a realistic place in the world?

During the casting process, the film makers went to different New England private schools, mostly in Massachusetts, looking for a student to play Max Fisher.

Rosemary Cross:
Has it ever crossed your mind that you're far too young for me?


Max Fischer:
It crossed my mind that you might consider that a possibility, yeah.

Continuity: When Max meets Blume, Dr. Guggenheim's hand holding his pipe.

Written by Edwin Michael Phillips and Kenneth George Pickett
Published by EMI Unart Catalog Inc. (BMI)
Performed by Creation
Courtesy of Shel Tolmy Productions