Max Fischer is an intelligent, unattractive young man with glasses, one of the students at Rushmore Academy, who is not popular at all. In fact, he has already been expelled for failing his classes, but he manages to become president of a virtual event held on campus, as well as finding time to fall in love with a charming teacher and find a mentor in the form of the wealthy, depressed Herman. The latter role is brilliantly played by Bill Murray, who demonstrates the full range of his acting talent.