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Rushmore: the "and a movie part"

Well, we’re updating this page on Valentine’s Day, so the damage should already be done by the time you read this. And it’s going to be up for about another month, so for just about everyone, the advice I’m going to lay on you all is a little dated. But, this is simple advice and I hope that if it doesn’t reach you in time for Valentine’s Day (the un-holiest of holidays) that you can use it for a truly special occasion – one that is meaningful to you and your special other.

So, since I’m a heterosexual male, I’m going to talk like one and address most of this to other people in the same boat. Of course, the advice applies to all idiots of any sex or sexual orientation. The advice is simplicity itself: watch Rushmore together.

Now, Rushmore is a fine, fine movie to watch by yourself, or with your idiot friends. The story of a boy who lives in a fantasy world that is just compatible enough with the rest of the world to more or less get by is a wonderful story. The fact that the triumphant finale is a return to another kind of over-the-top fantasy is an inspiration for anyone who identifies with our faith and philosophy.

But, Rushmore as a romantic movie is outstanding. First, like I said, it is a movie that you would enjoy all by yourself. It’s a fantastic movie – if you haven’t seen it you must go see it right now. None of this Nora Ephron getting in touch with your feelings nonsense. No Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts getting all weepy (or leaving some decent guy for no particular reason). In fact, very few people think of it as a romantic movie.

Here’s why it is a romantic movie, perfect for this website’s unique demographic (and you know who you are.) Bill Murray’s character is the reason.

Although the movie focuses on Max Fisher (played by Jason Schwartzman), the truly inspiring love story is between Bill Murray and Olivia Williams. Bill Murray’s character is kind of a mystery. We know that he is a Vietnam vet (he was in "the shit",) we know he’s worth tens of millions of dollars, and we know that when the movie starts he is unhappy with his life: his wife is cheating on him, and his sons are brats.

As his marriage unravels, he starts to fall head over heels for Olivia Williams – whom he met when he tried to help Schwartzman’s character impress her. It’s slow steps at first, he acts awkward, silly even, when she’s around. He descends into infantile shenanigans when he is afraid he might lose her. And, when she does eventually reject him, he falls apart completely.

He gets her back in the end of the movie. He doesn’t change – she realizes the beauty in idiocy. She notices the special spark that can only exist in a person who can delight in simple pleasures (i.e. a hero to us all.)

Besides all that, it is a story about a group of imperfect people, doing imperfect things. This is why it is perfect date movie. You’re never going to measure up to those guys in the "romantic" films. You’re not going to know what your girlfriend is thinking at precisely the right moment to have her make up your mind that you’re the perfect guy for her. No, we’re all imperfect and showing that special someone the beauty in imperfect people who act infantile and make plenty of mistakes can only help.