Attention: You should read the instructions for film responses again, very carefully. Focusing on one small part of the film in each paragraph will help you achieve the level of detail you need for full credit. If you try to cover many different moments, you will have less to say about each one and will end up writing about film superficially. Your file name should be LastName.FirstName.FR2.S20 because this is your second Film Response.
As his name suggests, Max Fischer is a seeker of things unseen. However, he is immature and unwilling to grow up. What does Max want to do for the rest of his life? "For me, that's going to Rushmore." The problem is that he is not quite sure where he will find the missing piece he is searching for. He has insecurities all along the spectrum of possible insecurities. So he seeks fame, glory, romance, and recognition through a life created by his imagination.
But this film is also a unique take on the reality of war. The relationship between Max and Rosemary leads to an extensive battle of wills between Max and Herman. The cycle of revenge begins with envy. Maybe Wes Anderson is showing us the root of all war. Maybe war is the outcome of competition for glory, the power of having outlasted your opponent to end up on top. One thing is certain, the war between Max and Herman is not a fantasy.
After the battle ends, Herman meets Max at his mother's gravestone, on which are etched the following words: "The paths of glory lead but to the grave." These words suggest an unhappy ending for those who would seek glory, and perhaps at this moment, Max realizes the path he has chosen and why he must find another path. We see him on this new path when he reaches out to help Blume get back on track as well.
Now here is your prompt: First, in what way is Max's final play in the film a sign that he has found another path and perhaps even the missing piece he has been seeking all along? What is that path? Second, how does this final play show his growth? In what way is this play more important than the others? How is his motivation to write the final play different from his motivation to write the others? Remember, please write two equal-length paragraphs. Each one should be 150-200 words, for a total of at least 300 words.
