THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
There have been countless holidays that can put people in a comfort zone, so it doesn’t sound too surprising when some prefer Groundhog Day.
PLOT
The 1993 film follows weatherman Phil Connors assigned to report annual coverage for the titular holiday festivities in Punxsutawney. Within the day of arrival, he makes clear to his producer Rita Hanson and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliot) he has nothing but contempt of the town and anticipates a new job that awaits him after this coverage. The next day, the blizzard strikes as he worried, causing him to stay another night. However by next morning, he starts experiencing Deja Vu because things from the day before start happening again: Hearing ‘I Got You Babe’ play on the radio, hear familiar banter afterwards, step into a puddle, encounter former schoolmate Ned Ryerson, have cold water in the inn he’s spending the night in and cover the holiday. Seeing it happen again, he realizes that he is stuck in a time loop. He does try to tell Rita early on, but she doesn’t believe him. He even shares his issue with a neurologist and psychologist separately, but neither can explain his experience. So he would start acting reckless by drunk driving with two locals. Even after getting arrested and spending the night in a cell, he wakes up back in the inn and the loop continues. He keeps his pace going by trying things he’s never done before: one night stands, robbery, binge eating, punching Ned, smoking cigarettes and uses his knowledge of the day’s events to manipulate circumstances to his advantage. At some point, he tries to seduce Rita but even after getting to know her, she rebuffs him. His disappointment would lead to him becoming depressed and tries taking his life to escape the loop. After multiple attempts, he remains stuck inside. When he tells Rita again of his predicament, she encourages him to look at it as a blessing instead of a curse. Since his feelings for her have grown to be sincere, Phil would decide to use his knowledge to change himself: He would learn playing the piano, speak French, sculpt ice, embrace Ned and save people from accidents/misfortunes. On one loop, he brings eloquence to his coverage. That and the townsfolk praising his good deeds would all amaze Rita. Moved of his overnight transformation, she successfully bids for him at a charity bachelor auction. He would celebrate the night with her by carving an ice sculpture in her image and saying how happy he feels. The next morning, he finds himself out of the loop when Rita is still in bed with him and hears different banter on the radio. Realizing that it is February 3rd, the film ends with Phil declaring he wants to live in Punxsutawney, which Rita seems interested in doing as well.
THOUGHTS
There have been few comedies that have been able to be as smart as they are funny and this one could be the smartest of its kind. Director Harold Ramis has you laugh with the hijinx that ensues in an unlikely predicament, yet brings you to the understanding that you can’t exactly live without consequence because you affect others more than affect yourself. If you want change, you must do it yourself because no one can do it for you and when you get started, do it knowing that it’s what you want. Also, if you really want help for achieve goals, make sure you’re surrounded by the right people who won’t take advantage of you. And most importantly, do not ignore whatever you identify as a problem because the quicker the resolution, the better satisfaction. We learn all of this in the shoes of the most unordinary protagonist ever written. Bill Murray makes it clear from the get go that Phil is not the brightest of people as his self righteousness makes him very rude of a man. He was taking his life for granted until it changed in a big and unexpected way. We laugh with and at him because he does realistic things we would’ve done if put in his position. Binge eating and robbery ain’t the smartest decisions, yet they’re curious scenarios you can’t help imagine. I know it’s wrong to punch someone who did no harm, but I relate to him punching Ned because I understand how it feels when you can’t avoid those who annoy you. You feel bad for him as the story progresses because he becomes more alone than everyone understands. Once he takes the time to naturally love Rita, you root for his happiness because no one deserves to be miserable. Every time he failed, you feel bad because you know he’s trying so hard. Seeing him fail to pursue her was the final nail in the coffin that you can’t force love no matter how bad you want it. After multiple moments of heartbreak, he finally put himself aside and looked out for the town, becoming more diverse and open minded he ever thought he would be. In a way, his path of becoming a brand new man would not have been possible had it not been for her original rejection(s). We may not know how the loop happens, but it’s clear that it stops when he chooses to give up on thinking about it, accepting to surrender. So when you notice Rita still in bed with him, you become as relieved as he is to be free. I definitely gotta give credit to the entirety of the supporting cast who have to pretend that his change is overnight when it’s eternal for him. Every take, Stephen Tobolowsky steals it when being overly excited as Ned. Of all the supporting characters that got my attention, it’s gonna be Rita. Andie MacDowell has us enjoy her presence for making her the most self assured and naturally kindest of people Phil could ever meet. Again had he not met her, he likely would’ve not motivated himself to give love to the town like he did. Considering that this all in one day in her eyes, she ends up giving Phil a chance because she was that moved in seeing how big of a heart he gained. There is no true guarantee on what Phil’s future will look like now that he’s out, but I’m sure it’ll be a happy one with her by his side. This movie will always find a way to make me smile, but even movies as good as this have its share of moments that still confuse me to this day. For instance, I got nothing against Rita, but why exactly does the station need her to cover on the holiday? There isn't much to report when they know what to expect. They can easily have Phil do it without her. Also, why exactly does Phil get booked in a separate BnB? They don't say Andi's hotel is booked, so there is no reason to keep them apart already aside from Phil's attitude. If I'm gonna start complaining about Phil, I find it pointless when he honks at people in front of him who are blocked by the blizzard. He may not know of the blizzard until he talks to the cop, but honking solves nothing when the cars are not moving. And we don't even see him try other roads to get out of town, so was he only trying one route the whole time? That's more surprising than how in one loop, he storms out of the inn and still sees the day go on cue as he remembers. If anything, he should've not been spotted by Ned at least that one time. And if he was gonna keep trying to find a way out, why didn't he try not leaving the inn at all to see what would happen? Would've been an interesting scenario to see him skip work. On top of that, people freak out over a stolen hedgehog, but do not do a thing when Ned gets knocked out. However, i do think you can still have a good time with this after you ignore said flaws. In short, Groundhog Day is a comedy classic for finding the heart in the most unexpected place. If you want to be feeling good, see this movie as soon as possible.
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