Barber Shop Scene Analysis

The barber shop scene in Wes Anderson’s film Rushmore shows Max’s disconnection from his father and Rushmore. Max has been kicked out of Rushmore and is ashamed of his father. The camera shot has Max focused on in the center while he is reminiscing about Rushmore, but his father, who is cutting Max’s hair, is cut out from the shot and only made visible in the reflection of the mirror. The camera shot is meant to isolate Max from his father, because Max has always been ashamed that his father is not able to pay for Rushmore like everyone else. He has even told Mr. Blume, his best friend, that “[his] father may only be a doctor, but we manage.” This quote shows how much being rich matters in Max’s life. On the other hand, Max’s father’s expression is more eager and not ashamed at all, because he has always wanted to please Max. While Max is reflecting on his time in Rushmore, he is afraid that he could become like his father, a poor barber, and this is represented by the way his father is shown in the mirror. The background which is very boring with the main colors being white and brown gives us a dreary feeling, because usually Max is shown in front of an exciting background; there is always something going on whether he is putting on one of his plays or starting a new club. However, the bright lighting contrasts the setting and it shows how Max’s father is eager to reconnect with his son, but for Max the lighting represents a new beginning for Max at his new school and foreshadows his great success at his upcoming play. In this scene I would add Kathy’s Judy Bridgewater tape in the background because her tape symbolizes all of her good times at Hailsham and when she loses her tape she feels lost and when Max loses Rushmore he too feels lost.