I saw this over the weekend and found it
completely entertaining, but I must confess that I agree with
some of Edelstein's reservations with the movie. I'm just
willing, even eager, to overlook some of the shortcomings. I find
most movies require some accommodation. For example, I'm
certainly more willing (but NOT eager) to endure the jingoism
that Kurt so deplores in "Saving Private Ryan" than he
is. What's strange is, the "self-congratulation" air of
"Rushmore" is normally one of the things that can stick
in my craw (I loathed "Cousin Cousine" and most of the
Tarantino wannabes, for example). I just found enough to like to
anesthetize my critical faculties.
I do think that Jason Schwarzmann's performance
is being underrated. People are probably thinking that he is
typecast and therefore no acting is required. A lot of the best
film actors simply find rolls they can do well.