Groundhog Day

What if you were stuck reliving the same day over and over again? The VJA Film Society showed the 1993 fantasy/comedy/romance film Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliot. It takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day and is rated PG.

Mean-spirited weatherman Phil Connors has to report on the town’s celebration of their “celebrity” groundhog on February 2nd, like he does every year. He hates it. After the day ends, he discovers that he’s stuck experiencing the very same Groundhog Day over and over, though no one else is. At first, he takes advantage of his situation and even tries to use it to get close to his producer and love interest Rita Hanson. First, he despairs, but then starts to learn new things and grow as a person since he never seems to run out of time. However, he really just wants to get to the next day. Will he be trapped in the same day forever?

The story is interesting as we see just how miserable Phil becomes from being in a day that repeats over and over. Even though the film is a comedy, Bill Murray’s character portrayal helps us understand the dilemma he’s going through. The day also manages to change his character and make him more caring towards people. There is one scene that actually seems unneeded to me, but that’s easy to forget about in a movie like this. The romance between Phil and Rita is also well done and is very believable. Finally, it’s never actually explained why he was experiencing the same day, leaving that up the audience to speculate. Now, let’s talk about the actors.

Bill Murray is at one of his best roles here as Phil. He manages to play a character that’s both a complete jerk and yet, also likable. Even though he probably deserves to have what’s happening to him, we also want to see him escape from it. Andie MacDowell also gives a decent performance as Rita. She is able to play someone who is not just there for the romance story, but is an interesting character on her own too. She is bothered by Phil normally, but does still seem to like him, making us want to see this work, even when it’s failing. Most of the other actors are entertaining too, like Chris Elliot, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Brian-Doyle Murray. They can add to the humorous situations. Speaking of which, let’s talk about the comedy.

This is one of the funnier comedy films ever made. The comedy helps to make the frightening prospect of being trapped in a single day less intense. Phil has a lot of funny lines and actions that relate to having already had the knowledge of what will happen in the day. Particularly, the different lines he says when reporting on the groundhog can get laughs, especially when they become ridiculous. In addition, the realization that there are no consequences with no tomorrow allows Phil to do some very mean, but hilarious things. Bill Murray’s low-key style works perfectly for this film.

Overall, this is a classic comedy film. One of Bill Murray’s best movies, as well as a favorite to watch on Groundhog Day. It’s suitable for almost any viewer. Watch it again and again and again.