Groundhog Day Video

Average Rating:

This review is an update to a previous review of this movie that follows:

While most viewers try to catch the number of times the scenes repeat themselves, this modern (within the last ten years) movie contains one of the classic scenes that can actually enrich ones life.

In "Groundhog Day," weatherman Phil Conners, played by actor bill Murry, is locked in a time warp in which he seems destined to relive Groundhog Day, February 2nd, over and over again. The classic scene occurs after midnight, but before the bewitching hour of 6:00 A.M. when the day begins repeating itself, on a day when Phil has succeeded in convincing Rita, his producer, played by Annie MacDowell, that he is truly reliving this one day, again and again. As they lay platonically in bed, with Rita falling asleep, he begins to tell her what he should have told her the first time that he saw her, instead of being so self-absorbed that he couldn't see what she really was like ("I think what I wanted to say was I think you are the kindest, sweetest, prettiest person I've ever met in my life. The first time I saw you, something happened to me that I never told you, but I wanted to hold you as hard as I could. I don't deserve someone like you, but if I ever could, I'm sure I would love you for the rest of my life").

He awakes the next morning, without Rita by his side, but with a a new persona. Perhaps this change is because he was spurred on by Rita who told him the evening before, "Maybe it's not a curse (referring to his reliving this day over and over), it's just how you look at it." Suddenly, forgotten are the days when Phil used his endless life to temp fate by living his life through the seven deadly sins, as he finds the joy of living each day to its fullest, learning to expand his purpose in life through helping others. Finally, he lives a Groundhog Day in which he becomes something of a local hero to many in the community, and Rita, realizing his inner beauty, buys his services at the bachelor charity auction. That night, they platonically fall asleep with the true realization of each other's stellar inner qualities, and instead of waking-up on February 2nd, again, it's February 3rd. Together they begin to plan a life together with the realization that there is something more after today.

Phil's final characterization of life can be depicted in the words he uses to describe the Groundhog Festival near the end of the movie. "When Checkov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and beraf of hope, but we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But, standinghere among the people of Punxsutawney, and basking here in the warmth of their hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter."

By reading the summary on "Groundhog Day", those who have never watched this movie are probably thinking 'what a strange movie this sounds like.' But I assure you, I myself was very surprised how good the plot was and how every actor and actress was perfect in their parts.

The most notable acting done in the movie was by Bill Murray. I have always liked Bill Murray, he has a sense of timing, giving off jokes at the perfect moment. He is just sooo funny! And he is not only a great comedian, he also gets to show off some of his serious and romantic side in "Groundhog Day". As he continued to live the same day again and again, you can't help but get attached to his character and even begin to like him, especially as he begins to change. The supporting actors Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliot do a good job in their roles, too, but Bill Murray certainly steals the whole movie.

I must also acknowledge the superb screenwriting job done by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis (Ramis is also the Director and Producer of "Groundhog Day"). The plot is actually very 'smart', creating a very interesting perspective. The movie is a bit repetitive at times (of course it is, that's the whole point!) and feels a bit bogged down, but the story always picks up. The ending was so nice I couldn't help but want to jump up and down and shout hurray! A truly triumphant ending!

I highly recommend this movie for those who like incredible acting with plenty of drama, humor, and romance in the plot. The movie is rated PG because of some innuendo, crude humor, and adult themes. Not for younger kids to watch since they might find the story a bit hard to follow and a bit dull. Great for teens and adults. Another movie I highly recommend is "The Truman Show" starring Jim Carrey. An incredible movie, the PG-rated film is similar to "Groundhog Day" in that the movie centers on the life of Carrey's character whose life is stuck an interesting perspective.

Some bits of interesting trivia on "Groundhog Day":
*Murray was bitten by the groundhog twice during the filming of this movie.*
*Murray and Ramis have both been Honorary Grand Marshals for the Groundhog Day celebrations in Punxsatawney, PA.*
*The movie was not filmed in Punxsutawney, but actually in Woodstock, Illinois. There is a small plaque that reads "Bill Murray stepped here" on the curb where Murray continually steps into a puddle.*
*In one of the early scenes of Phil at the piano teacher's house, when he is fumblingly playing Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paginini", is actually Bill Murray playing. He does not read music, but he learned that much of the song by ear.*

You have the take the whole thing as a fun campy movie. Bill Murray is great as his character goes from egocentric weatherman to caring individual. Sure, this bizarre timewarp just "appears". Sure, much of Bill's motivation to change is that he just wants to escape the warp, not that he (at least initially) really cares about the people he's helping. But it's all in fun, and the bizarre things that go on are hilarious.

There isn't any great redemption in the movie, or mystic message ... it's simply a lot of fun to watch, to catch all the subtle ways things change as the day continually loops back into itself for Bill. If you ever feel like you're stuck in a rut, this is the perfect movie to help you laugh your way out!