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Imagine waking up every morning and it is the same day over and over again? Well, Murray has this happen to him. Every time he does his day becomes one disaster after another until he finally gives in and figures out he can use each day to improve himself and his life a little at a time.
The message here is clear. We all have a life that is made up of the same day everyday, what we choose to do with that day is really up to us. Do we want to improve our lot in life or just go along with being ourselves in a boring unfulfilled endless life that is a cycle of recurring themes?
This movie shows anyone, even though it is a comedy, that each day we have a choice to make the day what it can be. Murray plays Phil Connors, on Ground Hog Day when the ground hog's name is also Phil...go figure. Connors is as arrogant as they come and he just keeps trying so hard to impress people.
He goes from egotisical and self serving to seeing himself to get the girl of his dreams, Rita. It would be nice to know how many days of Ground Hog Days he spent there. You can see him go from this to a renaissance man who really cares about people, loves life and takes each day and uses it to improve himself.
Rita, although the same person and not being influenced or affected by being in Ground Hog day, comes to really like Phil. This movie makes us laugh at ourselves and our humanity. And by the end of the movie, he shows that he can have a positive effect on everyone he comes in contact with.
So when you hear the song, "I've Got You Babe," and the announcers saying, "It's Ground Hog Day....." remember to use the day to its fullest.
I'm facinated each time watching the totally self centered Bill Murray caught in this marvelous time paradox, living the same day over and over. He goes through differing stages: fear and confusion; euphoria, when he realizes he can do ANYTHING without consequence; despair, when he realizes that life is meaningless if one pursues selfish pleasures without goals; and finally a peaceful self actualization when he dedicates himself toward self improvement and the humanitarian goals his situation gives him the opportunity to pursue.
It gives one pause to consider what each of US would do in a similar circumstance.
Oh, it's really funny, too.
Bill Murray plays Phil Connors a weatherman, who covers everything from weather to Ground Day. Phil isn't happy with his life, in fact he realizes that he is repeating the same routine over and over again. From work in the morning,to
talking to the annoying Ned Ryanser( Stephen Tobolowsky), while listening to Sonny and Cher in the morning to covering the stupid GroundHog Day, Phil is repeating the same day over and over again. Of course the irony here as done by the plot, is that he is the only that knows it. It's like an episode the ''Twilight Zone'' (which I reviewed too on other sites). Eventually Phil has a mental breakdown in which he plans to do whatever he wants. He comes completely unglued when realizing how wasted his life had become, and thus wants to change it.
I use the term breakdown because well Phil isn't exactly a nice guy, he's arrogant and obnoxious. We hardly sympathize with this guy, much less that he is miserable.
However, the point the movie makes is the guy realizes he has been wasting his life away and wants to change it, although Phil's change doesn't go ahead smoothly.
He drives reckless around the train tracks, gets arrested, steals a bagfull of money from a couple of dumb cops, charms his way into sleeping with a beautiful young girl and yet finds out that he still isn't happy. Until he puts the moves on Rita (Andy McDowell), his producer. McDowell is the few actresses that I know that has limited acting potential but her beautiful presence can convey some emotions making her sympathetic.
However, in order to get close to Rita, Phil has to get info on her likes and dislikes from her friends. This angle in the movie, really made me a little sick, because even we are suppose to sympathize with Phil, he hasn't really changed all that much. Rita, eventually finds out Phil's motives and slaps him in the face, and telling him to get lost. LOL No surprise there, in fact Rita's action sums up my argument that Phil hasn't really changed all that much despite his aim to not repeat the same day, he is still repeating his same behavioral patterns.
Phil though in order to impress her and to change himself, starts doing bizarre, yet unreal things that get him attention and he does start to become nicer. This is where the movie gets ridiculous, because even though this is a comedy, I found the rest of the movie to be predictable, superficial, yet enjoyable
Phil becomes a gifted ice sculpter (who knows where he learned this) as one scene, where his cutting a sculpture of an ice angel is shown. Then Phil saves a guy from choking to death, a kid from a falling tree and a host of other surprises. LOL
Yes Harold Ramis does go a bit over the top with this Phil guy, obviously a lot of the stuff he pulls of is almost impossible giving Phil's background, but Ramis is again trying to show the point (although laughingly bad) that Phil is changing. He now has a heart and will do anything to be with this nice woman and of course by Phil doing this he has filled that empty void that he had when he was repeating the same unfulling routine of covering that stupid Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania.
Ramis is actually a buddy of Murray going back to the old days of their ''SCTV'' days, and ''Ghostbusters'' days, so these two talented comedian can pull the hijinks in the film with some realism.
Still though Ramis does do a good job of making us think about the movie and Phil itself and gives us that scary thought that we perhaps might end up like Phil, a shriveled, ugly man who has been repeating the same stupid routine yet doesn't have the capacity to see that this misery is at his own doing.
LOL
Phil hates the groundhog, whom he calls a rat, he hates the people of Punxsutawney, whom he considers little more than boring hicks, and he hates people who are warm and sensitive. Phil is counting the seconds until he can leave this miserable town and get back to the big city. Little does he know that a quirky act of fate will doom him to relive February 2nd, over and over and over again, until he gets it right.
Bill Murray is comic perfection as the cranky and impatient Phil, a person who could not stop and smell the roses if his life depended on it. Thanks to a brilliant screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, who also directed, Murray has ample opportunity to show off his impeccable timing and priceless facial expressions. Whether he is greeting his unctuous landlady at his bed and breakfast, trying to fend off a pushy old classmate, or smoothly convincing a gullible woman that he loves her, Murray nails this self-absorbed and misanthropic character.
The look of epiphany on Phil's face when he realizes that he can do whatever he wants with no repercussions is unforgettable. Since he is doomed to live the same day over and over again, he can hit on women endlessly, spend money like water, and eat as many cholesterol-laden desserts as his heart desires. Soon, however, the novelty wears off, and Phil begins to realize that the same-old, same-old is no longer bearable. To move his life past Groundhog Day, he will have to change inside, where it counts.
If you want to laugh until you cry, see "Groundhog Day," a film that is destined to become a comedy classic.
The rest of the movie is variations on a theme--how Phil spends the day trying to figure out his predicament and how he interracts with certain people on different Groundhog Days. There's Ned Ryerson, a nerdy former classmate who tries to sell Phil life insurance, a hefty fellow lodger Connors encounters as he leaves his room, and an elderly bum on a street corner, which later turns out to be one of the most poignant scenes. Surprisingly, repeated segments don't detract from the movie.
The main point of this comedy is that the attitude we emanate is what makes one attractive or endearing to people. It also states that the choices we make affects everyone else for better or worse, and how to be the best we can be so others respond in a positive way or how simple kind words can make a person's day. Connors exudes nothing but a bad attitude from the beginning. He makes chauvinistic remarks to Rita, and in one of his broadcasts, refers to his namesake as an overgrown squirrel.
Rita is the catalyst here. Phil's attracted to her and tries whatever he can to score with her, by finding out her favourite drink, what she studied before her journalistic career, but it's when he actually comes to her for help after she's touched by his truly beautiful weather report that he realizes how nice a person that he turns over a new leaf. He learns detachment and emanating a positive aura that makes others attracted to him instead of trying to focus on a single person.
This is one of Bill Murray's best movies, as his character goes from obnoxious jerk to someone who emanates so much positive energy that he's the most popular guy around. Andie McDowell shines as Rita, with those crinkly eyes and sweet smile making her even more endearing than in Four Weddings And A Funeral. And director Harold Ramis, Murray's costar in Stripes and the two Ghostbusters movies, has a brief scene as the local neurologist. Chris Elliott (Larry) has the funniest word in the movie when MacDowell asks him why Murray would kidnap a groundhog. He says he can think of a few reasons, and then says, "pervert!"
To be sure, this will be the movie that did to Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" what mad cow disease did for cows. And hey, at least it gave Bill Murray a chance to work with a real rodent as opposed to a bogus puppet in Caddyshack. But it's a delightful comedy that stresses that if we emanate positive energy by becoming the best person that we can to others, others will return the energy.
Bill Murray plays Phil Connors a weatherman, who covers everything from weather to Ground Day. Phil isn't happy with his life, in fact he realizes that he is repeating the same routine over and over again. From work in the morning,to
talking to the annoying Ned Ryanser( Stephen Tobolowsky), while listening to Sonny and Cher in the morning to covering the stupid GroundHog Day, Phil is repeating the same day over and over again. Of course the irony here as done by the plot, is that he is the only that knows it. It's like an episode the ''Twilight Zone'' (which I reviewed too on other sites). Eventually Phil has a mental breakdown in which he plans to do whatever he wants. He comes completely unglued when realizing how wasted his life had become, and thus wants to change it.
I use the term breakdown because well Phil isn't exactly a nice guy, he's arrogant and obnoxious. We hardly sympathize with this guy, much less that he is miserable. However, the point the movie makes is the guy realizes he has been wasting his life
away and wants to change it, although Phil's change doesn't go ahead smoothly.
He drives reckless around the train tracks, gets arrested, steals a bagfull of money from a couple of dumb cops, charms his way into sleeping with a beautiful young girl and yet finds out that he still isn't happy. Until he puts the moves on Rita (Andy McDowell), his producer. McDowell is the few actresses that I know that has limited acting potential but her beautiful presence can convey some emotions making her sympathetic.
However, in order to get close to Rita, Phil has to get info on her likes and dislikes from her friends. This angle in the movie, really made me a little sick, because even we are suppose to sympathize with Phil, he hasn't really changed all that much. Rita, eventually finds out Phil's motives and slaps him in the face, and telling him to get lost. Phil though in order to impress her and to change himself, starts doing bizarre, yet unreal things that get him attention and he does start to become nicer.
This is where the movie gets ridiculous, because even though this is a comedy, I found the rest of the movie to be predictable, superficial, yet enjoyable
Phil becomes a gifted ice sculpter (who knows where he learned this) as one scene, where his cutting a sculpture of an ice angel is shown. Then Phil saves a guy from choking to death, a kid from a falling tree and a host of other surprises. LOL
Yes Harold Ramis does go a bit over the top with this Phil guy, obviously a lot of the stuff he pulls of is almost impossible giving Phil's background, but Ramis is again trying to show the point (although laughingly bad) that Phil is changing. He now has a heart and will do anything to be with this nice woman and of course by Phil doing this he has filled that empty void that he had when he was repeating the same unfulling routine of covering that stupid Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania.
Still though Ramis does do a good job of making us think about the movie and Phil itself and gives us that scary thought that we perhaps might end up like Phil, a shriveled, ugly man who has been repeating the same stupid routine yet doesn't have the capacity to see that this misery is at his own doing.
Most of all, all these combinations work to create a unique and thoroughly enjoyable movie. I wish these came along more often!
The film works on every level, and was the first (but not last) great film of Bill Murray's career.
The very simple story is one where Bill Murray plays a self-consumed, hyper-cynical, and arrogant weatherman with a mean streak who finds himself paying out some sort of karmic debt by having to live through the same day (Groundhog Day) again, and again, and again, and....
The phenomenon strikes him with terror (few play "overwhelmed" better than Murray) at first, which is very funny material, but it's when he becomes accustomed to his seeming immortality and liberty from consequence that things really get unbearably funny.
This movie is fantastic in that it can be watched casually, as it's chock full of slapstick style entertainment (no offense to Bill Murray, but just looking at his face makes me laugh, great expressions...); but what really endeared this movie to me was the lesson I think is wrapped up in all the humor. I think the movie is about "appreciation". Appreciation for the value of every days potential (I know that sounds cheesy), appreciation for those around you that so easily fall into the background from all the noise of our environment, but most of all, appreciation for the difference between doing the right thing and the wrong thing. This movie smartly creates a "clean A/B lab". In the first lab, you have a bunch of failed attempts to create the perfect day. And finally, all those attempts are contrasted against the control group...a perfectly lived day, one where all the latent opportunities we don't even see are exploited...
And what a difference a day can make.
I hope you enjoy as much as I did...
I feel about this movie the way I feel about Bogdonovich's "Heartbreak Kid"
..a very different movie but I'm obsessed with both.
Bill Murray and Andie McDowell are perfect in this film, Murray as the cynical, infinitely self-centered TV weather newscaster, and Andie McDowell as his radiant and relentlessly uplifting TV producer and love interest. The plot has been rehashed many times by others, so I won't repeat it again.
The thing that makes this movie so memorable, and makes it stand out from all others is not the comedy, which is enjoyable, but the deeper themes behind it.
What are these themes? In reading the other 226 reviews, people have mentioned everything from Buddhist karma and reincarnation, Nietzsche and existentialism, Kubler Ross, the Seven Sins, and Gurdjieff -Ouspensky and the Fourth Way. Comparisons have been made to themes from the Twilight Zone, and Frank Capra movies like "It's a Wonderful Life".
Yes, I suppose all of these themes are present, and people will interpret this movie in the religious or philosophical context with which they are most familiar. Which is why it's a bit surprising that so far nobody has mentioned the main theme that stood out immediately for me in this movie.
Above all the existentialism and New Age themes that might be found in this movie is a very old fashioned one - at its core, this movie is a moral tale of love, hope, and redemption.
Bill Murray's character is stuck in time, stuck in purgatory, stuck in a perpetual rut of endless reincarnation and immortality, whatever you want to call it. His character, Phil Connors asks, "What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?"
Connors first uses his recursive immortality to dive even deeper into the Seven Sins, and then sinks into despair, hopelessness, and attempted suicide. But gradually, he awakens to the possibility that his choices of action do matter, and discovers that through caring for the other people in this town, he is able to regain hope in his own life again. It is this genuine turn in becoming a better person that wins the heart of Andie McDowell's character and earns him redemption from this purgatory.
Another reviewer had mentioned a link to the theme of making hard choices in the "Lord of the Rings". Thanks to "Groundhog Day", I came to understand one question from LOTR that had always bothered me - why would any immortal being (i.e., elves like Arwen and Haldir in LOTR) ever give up their immortality? The answer: maybe immortality becomes tiresome and meaningless if one cannot make a difference in this world, maybe leaving immortality to gain the love of another is truly more worthwhile.
There was just one other aspect of this idea that came to mind - what if whoever or whatever had kept Phil Connors stuck in time had continued to keep him there even after his transformation? We like to think that love and hope always leads to redemption. What if it doesn't? That's one real-life possibility which is not explored in this movie, but nevertheless, it is still a terrific movie.
The plot revolves what happens in the course of a day (groundhog day) after Phil wakes to Sonny & Cher on the morning clock radio. Phil (Murray) a TV reporter and the others are stranded there due to a snow torm on groundhog day.
The story involves some sort of time warp spell where the day plays over and over again, each day starting with the same Sonny & Cher song on the clock radio, until Rita (the Mac Dowell character) accepts Phil as a romantic partner and this acceptance somehow this breaks the spell.
With the help of Chris Elliot (the TV camera man) and directed by Harold Ramis, and with a wonderful and broad cast of supporting actors as the towns people, this is simply a marvelous and entertaining movie. Like the movie itself, that repeats groundhog day, day after day, you can watch the movie multiple times and never become bored.
Its hard to pinpoint why it works, but it does, and possibly one can say that it is Murray's best career performance. Also Andie Mac Dowell just seems perfect for the part.
Jack in Toronto
One day back in September, it was playing in the video store while I was browsing for something worthy to take home. I didn't even look at the screen -- just after hearing two or so minutes of the dialogue, I snatched it off the shelf and marched to the counter.
I am not ashamed to admit I saw this wonderful, charming, delightful, charming, endearing, CHARMING (yes, I wrote "charming" three times, because that is the overriding adjective that describes it) movie about 50 times that September, and I would say it ranks as perhaps one of my 20 favorite films of all time. (And I'm not young, and I've seen a fair amount of movies.)
If CHARMING appeals to you, and you haven't seen this movie, well, what the heck are you waiting for, GO GET IT!
What would you do if you found that you were trapped in today, no tomorrow ever coming, only the very same events happening over and over again? Maybe you would panic at first and then begin to consider the possibilities. You would see that, having no tomorrow, being able to remember each previous repeated day and beginning the same day anew, you could do anything you wanted to. Prank after prank might ensue. This would be followed by total boredom and maybe feelings so low that you might just try to end it all only to find that bright and early the "next" day things just started all over again.
But then you discover that with your newfound "immortality" you might just be able to do something good for yourself and for everyone you encounter.
In GROUNDHOG DAY the great Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, a primaddonic, self-absorbed weatherman who finds himself in just such a scenario. He goes through every possible phase of trying to figure things out, at last accepting his fate and determining to work as hard as he can, every repeated day, to do the right thing for himself and everyone he encounters in Punxsutawney, PA. Andie MacDowell plays Rita, Phil's producer, whom Phil is finally able to win over as a result of becoming over time the very best and accomplished man he can be.
The script is wonderfully written and the movie is masterfully edited as scene after scene repeats itself to show the subtle changes that take place in Phil's view of things.
Over ten years old, GROUNDHOG DAY is just as charming as it ever was and packs just as important a message today as it did at its debut: time is precious and with a little effort, a change here and an improvement there, any of us can create a life that is truly remarkable.
Douglas McAllister
I won't go into details about the storyline, as others have already done so. However, I will note that not only is the script clever and Bill Murray's performance terrific, but the structure and pacing of the movie are almost perfect. Each time you go "around the loop" you get just enough new information to follow the story as new elements are introduced. There's not a wasted moment in the whole movie.
I know it's a cliche.... but I'd have to say that if you could only buy 10 movies to watch over and over again, this should be one of them. It's that good, and it holds up that well. Think of it as a modern-day "It's A Wonderful Life."
Phil Connors goes through this strange cycle of life in "Groundhog Day," an undeniably strong comedy that features a great script and cast. It's like a Frank Capra story with sarcasm. And it works perfectly.
Bill Murray plays Connors with all the air of a frustrated cynical everyman who is fed up with his job and life. Phil is a weatherman for a local news station, and every year he goes to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania for the Punxsutawney Phil event: commonly recognized as Groundhog Day. You know how it goes. The groundhog comes out on February 2nd. If it sees its shadow, it's six more weeks of winter. If it doesn't, it's spring.
Well, the only problem about going to this event every year for Phil is that he hates it. He hates the cheery people. The little town. The weather. The event. The story. Everything. He hates it. He is a lonely, desolate, forsaken soul. With a great cynical side.
Andie McDowell plays a new manager--err, womanager--who goes with Phil to the event, along with Chris Elliot, the cameraman. Phil reports, they tape it, it's a done deal. The end. Phil goes back home. It happens every year, and this year should be no exception.
Keyword: Should.
Because this year isn't like most years. Due to severe weather, the roads have all been closed, leaving only one option: Stay in Punxsutawney until the storm blows over. So, Phil heads back to his cheery hotel, and tucks in for a dreaded nap. But when he wakes the next morning, something odd happens. The day is the exact same day as before. It is Groundhog Day.
Again.
Waking up to the same Sonny and Cher song as the morning before, Phil panics as he finds everything exactly the same, just as it was the day before. He knows everything that is going to happen. He shrugs it off as a weird case of deja vu and heads back to sleep. But when he wakes up, alas! The day is...yesterday--again. Well, technically.
So Phil comes to terms with the fact that there is now way out of this small little town. He tries everything. He steps in front of a moving car. He electrocutes himself. He jumps off a building. All to no avail. Oh, he dies, all right. But the next day he's back and it's Groundhog Day again.
Part of what makes "Groundhog Day" so excellent is the story. The characters and actors alone are great enough to recommend this movie, but the truth is, I cannot think of a better story to throw someone like Bill Murray into. He uses his smart-alecky ways to a new extreme. His character is a bit like Scrooge from the tale "A Christmas Story," which is ironic, because Murray was in a parody on Scrooge's tale called "Scrooged."
But regardless, Bill Murray is perfect as the irreverent and cynical Phil. Everything he does he carries out with a dumb, "I'm-smarter-than-you" face. He considers himself better than everyone else. He thinks he is smart by skipping the big Holiday ordeal. It is all so stupid to him. But, as this story teaches us, having an attitude like that can get you in big trouble.
Another thing that is great about "Groundhog Day" is that Phil Connors does what we would do. For example: When he finds out he has this ability to repeat the same day over and over, he does things the average person would do. The human weakness. Too many comedies with the same formula don't try to exploit this human weakness, but "Groundhog Day" does. We see Phil memorize the steps to successfully robbing an armored truck filled with cash. But the reason he can go to bed with a clear conscience is because he knows the next day that everything will be back to normal again. He will never have robbed the truck; never have bought a Ferrari, etc. Phil does what WE would do, and that is one importance aspect of "Groundhog Day." I would never rob an armored truck, but if I was stuck living the same day over and over, it would do no harm to take the cash--it would be back in the truck in the morning! So, I might do that. (Although my conscience would still get in the way.)
There was a little comedy a few years ago that starred John Candy. The movie was named, "Delirious," and it was about a soap opera writer who bumped his head and woke up trapped inside his own written world. And everything he would write on his typewriter came true.
I was reminded of that film while watching "Groundhog Day," which is undeniably a stronger comedy. While the movie "Delirous" was good, and pretty interesting, there were so many things Candy could have done with the ability to create and control everything, and he didn't do them. I think that's where "Groundhog Day" steps in, filling in the blanks. There's nothing I love more than watching a comedy where the main character divulges into the human nature.
In other words, I love watching characters on-screen giving in to the same human weaknesses that we all exhibit.
And that's exactly what Phil does in "Groundhog Day." And that is why, among other reasons, it is one of my favorite films.
I rented this movie one night on a lark. To say that I was pleasantly suprised would be an understatement. Finally, there exists a film in which Murray culls some of his comedic excesses for the purpose of making a movie that can appeal to moviegoers of all ages.
The plot employs a device similar to the one in "It's A Wonderful Life" or even "A Christmas Carol." Playing a small-city TV newscaster forever in search of a bigger and better broadcasting gig, the obnoxious, shallow, and self-absorbed Murray is sent to cover Groundhog Day in Puxatawny, Pennsylvania. Murray is then inexplicably forced to relive the day over and over again. At first, Murray lives in denial at his circumstances, but his shallowness quickly adapts to the situation as he tries to take advantage of his guilded cage. He uses the carryover of knowledge and experiences gained from his reliving of Groundhog Day to rob an armored car, seduce a woman by learning all about her and then pretending to be an old forgotten friend in a 'later' Groundhog Day, and behave increasingly like an uncouthe idiot during his repeated broadcasts of Puxatawny Phil's (the name of the groundhog) appearance. He knows that regardless of whatever offense he commits, he will emerge unscathed because the day will simply end and be repeated.
However, even someone as shallow as Murray's character begins to learn that his 'victories' are fleeting and ultimately unfulfilling. This emptiness drives him to the point of madness and he eventually tries to kill himself (several times). He actually succeeds each time, but reawakens in the same hotel bed every morning to the tune of the same Sonny and Cher song, "I've Got You, Babe," on the radio.
Finally, Murray realizes that perhaps he would be better off putting the time to better use. He learns to play the piano (going from beginner to an accomplished player in who knows how many Groundhog Days), reads books on philosophy, takes up ice sculpting, and actually tries to get to know and help the people in the small town around him without the intent of taking advantage of them.
Only then is he finally released from his prison.
Murray's transformation from scoundrel to all-around good guy is done very well, and there are some genuinely moving moments in the movie--such as when, despite his repeated best efforts, he fails to save the life of a homeless elderly man that he knows is destined to die. It is in these scenes that Murray shows he does have the ability to handle an acting role that requires him to be sincere and serious in a convincing manner.
The supporting cast is excellent, including Andie McDowell and Chris Elliot--both of whom don't know what to make of Murray's sudden conversion (which, from their perspective, occurs in only one day).
Highly recommended. Certainly Bill Murray's best movie to date (including "Caddyshack" and "Stripes").
The real thing that catches my interest with this film is the way it conveys drama, yet is uplifting. Although Phil runs into some tear-jerker moments that make you feel sad, the movie truly uplifts your heart in the end and makes you feel great. I have seen countless movies that were dramas, and they left me feeling depressed. I really love how Phil starts to realize that you have to make the best of things.
The movie is really great. I can't understand why this movie would receive a negative review. Each day is truly interesting considering you have seen it, but Phil changes his routines, and changes a great deal over the course of the film. 5 stars. I recommend this movie to anyone who just wants to feel good.
The real laughs begin when Phil begins taking advantage of his newfound situation by doing whatever he wants, such as stealing money from a truck, learning stuff about girls and then meeting them the next day acting as if they were his long-lost friend, or simply avoiding the bad stuff that happened to him.
But Phil's situation soon turns into a predicament, for soon he grows tired of his plight, even more so when he learns he cannot die, after several (hundred) attempts to commit suicide. Phil begins waking up to hell, as new events begin to happen, like him finding a homeless man on the streets and dying every single day.
Eventually Phil begins to woo Rita, going through horrible dates just to learn everything about her, and when tat doesn't work, he works on the good aspects of life, learning piano, etc. I won't reveal the ending (I've already revealed too much) but I promise you that you will laugh out loud, and maybe shed a tear, for this wonderful movie.
"Groundhog Day" is one of the funniest and most original films ever made. Bill Murray has made a lot of outstanding films. But in my opinion, "Groundhog Day" is his best one. The repeating day is amazingly done. All of the actors do an extremely good job making each day look the same. The laughs that this film brings are non-stop. I even found myself rewinding scenes for a second and third viewing at times. Bill Murray is amazing as Phil Connors. Watching him play both roles is great. The first being the one who hates everybody and only cares about himself. Watching him try to kill himself over and over will make you laugh extremely hard. The other is the one that adjusts to live in Punksatawney and learns to care about those around him. No matter what he does, he will make you laugh. Andie McDowell is great as Rita. Her sweet and caring nature works well against Murray's negative attitude. The chemistry between her and Murray is amazing. One of the best romance stories I have ever seen. However, my favorite character was Stephen Tobolowsky's Ned Rierson. Every different time Ned and Phil meet, provides for the funniest scenes in the film. "Ned, I'd love to stay here and talk with you. But I'm not going to." Chris Elliot and the rest of the town are also all outstanding.
No matter how many times you see this film, you will never find it boring, repetitive, or less funny. In fact, you laugh harder with each viewing. The story, romance between Phil and Rita, and the great all around acting make Groundhog Day one of the best comedies ever made. The DVD is great, and the documentary : "The Weight of Time", is worth the price alone
The set up is wonderfully original. A day, repeated over and over, and not even a nice day, not even a special day, but February 2nd, in a small town in Pennsylvania, in a place our weatherman hates. And our weatherman fights against it in every which way he can -- trying to amuse himself with stealing money, riding on railroad tracks, using his knowledge to sleep with women (heck, he only has one day in which he can woo them), theorizing that he has to kill the groundhog in order to end his repetitious hell, and finally trying to kill himself, over and over, out of despair. Finally he learns to accept it, uses his time wisely, and then starts truly giving to people, becomes a real member of the town which he originally hated.
The idea could have gotten old, though, if the acting or the directing had been less than perfect, but it is not; it is wonderful instead, with nuance after nuance. Even when it feels forced, as if Bill Murray is acting, it works, because our weatherman would have felt as if he were acting as he repeated the day over and over. One of the sweetest moments comes near the end as Murray says: "I said stay and you stayed? I can't even make a collie stay."
Most of all, it makes you think, with d”alogue like: "I'm a God. I'm not THE God. At least, I don't think I am..." and "Maybe God doesn't have any special powers, either. Maybe he's just been around a long time..." and Andie's question: "Is this what you do with eternity?"
Worth seeing. Over and over.
Those Extras:
Commentary: Great job from Ramis, who covers all technical, location and casting aspects of this favorite. Pretty much no stone unturned. Ramis is really coming off as one of the better directors to handle DVD running commentaries.
New Interviews: Only half good. I'm getting really sick of the star of the movie not showing up to talk about it. Instead we get McDowell and Tobolowsky---who comes off a little too into the movie---along with Ramis and writer Rubin. The HBO original BTS would've really bouyed this. Glad I taped it back then :).
Overall: Sorry to say that's it. Lacking the ususal fun stuff of a Collector's Edition leaves a fan disappointed. Ramis nearly saves that with his fine effort on the audio track.
Bill Murray is a weather reporter in Philadelphia. He is also a male chauvinist, a prima donna and real jerk in general. He does not want to go to Punxsutawney to cover the Groundhog Day celebration and during his report even says something to the effect that `this is one time where cameras can't truly capture the effect of a big rat predicting the weather'. He is sarcastic and contemptuous of everyone and everything. All he wants to do is go back to Philadelphia but a blizzard he predicted would not hit DID hit and he is stuck in Punxsutawney. He is also stuck in GroundHog Day. Every day following is February 2nd and he wakes in his bed with the alarm clock a playing Sonny & Cher tune.
I have heard it said that this is the consummate film on reincarnation. Maybe it is. He can't make it stop and he has no choice but to settle in and learn what gives life its value regardless of where one is or what is going on - although that is not his first or even second choice. This is a very funny film as well as a real `feel good' flick.
First, he had to play opposite Andie McDowell. Unfortunately, Ms McDowell is just this side of a lump of clay as acting ability goes.
Second, the final act of the film. Murray has to be a nice guy. Not his forte by any means. And the rest of the cast has to pick up the "funny" for the remainder of the movie. Fortunately, by that time you've had such fun that you barely notice that flaw.
All in all, a very good movie that could've been great.
If you truly haven't seen this one yet; you're in for a seriously major treat!
"Groundhog Day" works/plays on an infinite number of levels; from your basic slapstick hilarity...........to as far out/in as you may wish to go.
We're all trapped by time, conditioning, and sheer umitigated self-ishness in much the same way as is the this character; but unfortunately (???) we don't all get "forever" to Do anything about it....and I'll spare you the rest of my esoteric "analysis". See it again and again and again etc etc etc...like the best of Art; this finely feathered flick only improves with age.. PS If you appreciated "Groundhog Day"; you might want to see Murray in "The Razors Edge".
What a great concept! What would you do if you lived the same day over and over again? Whatever can happen, does happen. Bill Murray is truly excellent in one of his under-rated roles. The range of emotions he goes through is hysterical. After what are likely hundreds of the same day in a row, Murray flips out a bit, and as a result his short sarcastic newscasts will have you rolling. This is a comedy classic. Buy it and watch it often, it keeps getting better! Good values, great acting, and a wonderfully funny premise for the whole family. Highly recommended!
I really enjoyed this movie and it is one of those movies that improves with each viewing. I considered rating it higher but, apart from Bill Murray, the acting wasn't quite that spectacular. It's a terrific movie for Bill Murray fans and it has a message that should appeal to everyone.
It is a great movie, carefully directed and acted, with a very clever sense of humor. Although you should be carefull with some scenes in which our antihero( that makes a conversion to hero), committes suicide, so parental help is needed to understand situations. These are the kind of movies that are needed to change the sad state of some people without aspiration in a very funny and intelligent movie. The only thing that is misleading is that you should notice the character of the heroine, it is not just a pretty face. She is strong in her convictions, and has a higher level of culture and sensibility that other women on the movie dont have.
Doomed to relive Groundhog Day over and over again, we follow Murray's emotions as he goes from denial to acceptance, from happy to suicidal, and finally to conformity with his situation. We follow all of his hilarious attempts to correct the mistakes he makes in wooing his boss which he does by repeating all of his actions up to the point of failure and then correcting each failure the next day. And he does this until he can actually live out the "perfect day." Lots of laughs here. Excellent acting by Murray. If you are a Murray fan, this is a definite "must have" DVD.
Bill Murray plays a meteorologist that gets stuck reliving the same day over and over again. At first he thinks he's going nuts, but eventually becomes accustomed to this day, and tweaks each "new" day a little differently until he figures out how to "solve" his problems and attitude on life. This movie also makes you, as a viewer, think a little bit about how you would handle such a situation. Are there things we take for granted? What would you correct in your own life if you had to live the same day over and over again? Great story and plot idea, and this movie is suitable for any age level.
It starts off on February 1st, with them plus the cameraman travelling to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania "The home of the Groundhog" for the Annual Groundhog day celebrations, which is the next day, 2nd Feb. The Groundhog, its believed, is supposed to predict the end of winter by seeing or not seeing his shadow. The groundhog looks like a beaver by the way and rather cute. He absolutely hates going to Punxsutawney to cover this festival and he makes his feelings about this pretty clear, he actually says to the guest house owner that his chances of departure today are 100% because there is no way he wants to spend a minute more than he has to in this backwater, as he calls it. On there way out of town, after filming the Groundhog being lifted out of the ground. They get caught in a blizzard and have to turn back, much to Phil's reluctance. So he has to stay another night in the place that he has become to loathe. Then his bedside alarm goes off at the same time as the previous day and much to Phil's annoyance he thinks that the radio station are playing yesterday's tape until he looks out the window and sees no traces of snow whatsoever.He is stuck in a time warp! Anyway I won't go into too much detail as I don't want to spoil this film for those of you that haven't been fortunate to watch it. The main part of the film concentrates on Phil Connors reliving Groundhog Day over and over again. At first he is bored by this and doesn't understand what is happening then he decides that his life is definitely not worth living any more and tries to commit suicide, he also tries to manipulate people and he pretends to know this woman that he takes a fancy too. He also watches when security guards turn there back on some money and pinches it right from under there noses. He even gets arrested after driving on the railroad track drunk. All these things don't have any effect on Phil Connors as he wakes up the same every morning. He even tries to go out with Rita, his producer and doesn't succeed at first. She thinks he is crazy and playing tricks on her. The amount of times he gets slapped round the face by her or other women is incredible. He gradually begins to realise that he can help people out and goes round being nice for a change, he also helps himself by learning the piano. I would love to go on and tell you all the film but I had better stop here, I love this film and have watched it at the cinema, hired it on video and then bought the video and since then I guess I must have watched it at least 100 times, I think I probably know this film word for word. This film is a PG and I would say suitable for all its also very funny as Bill Murray is at his best. I know I will be watching it a few hundred times more and for those of you that haven't seen it or don't remember it, I would recommend that you watch this as I consider this film to be an extremely funny film and a classic.
Murray plays Phil Connors, a weatherman less than enthused with the assignment given him - heading out to Punxsutawney, Pa. to see if groundhog Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow. Connors couldn't care less if the nation will have six more weeks of winter and his disdain for the whole event is palatable. Like a good soldier, Connors nevertheless wakes up and does the remote broadcast. He goes to bed that night glad to be finished with his task. However, he awakens the next day and discovers it is Groundhog Day again. He shrugs this off as some kind of bad dream until he realizes the same thing happens the next morning . . . and the next morning . . . and the next morning. Murray is horrified in the early going as tries to escape the hellish time warp he finds himself in. Then when it might seem that there is no way out, Murray starts to accept his situation . . . and then completely takes advantage of it with hilarious results. Amidst the chaos he causes, Conners makes sure to set aside time to woo the local women but finds that he truly longs for his news producer Rita (Andie MacDowell). As the days keep repeating one after another, Connors decides to use his foreknowledge to make himself a better person in order to win her heart. "Groundhog Day" never bothers to provide an explanation to its events but that actually helps matters as it enhances the fairy tale-like quality of the film. The film plays more like a romantic morality tale than a "Twilight Zone" episode and is all the better for it. It is a story of the heart rather than a story of the mind. Watching Murray perform his role seamlessly is a pleasant reminder of how good he was in "Stripes" all those years ago and is proof that he is still a talented comedian and actor. MacDowell is also charming in her role and Chris Elliott is solid in his supporting part. Yet, it's Murray who makes the film work and "Groundhog Day" is one of those shining cinematic examples of the right actor being cast in the right film.
It takes him many mornings of waking up to "I Got You, Babe" to learn life: The rest of us get that one morning only. We better not blow it.
When Phil first gets stuck in the existential glitch, after some confusion, he takes advantage of it by eating obscene amounts of junkfood, getting into legal trouble, picking up women, and general self-indulgence, knowing that the next day, everyone will have forgotten about the day's events. Phil grows weary of it eventually, and tries to get Rita, Phil's producer, to love him. However, he goes about love by trying to bend the world around him to fit his needs, and it does not work, as Rita rejects him several times. Phil realizes the utter futility of his approach to life, and kills himself, several times, only to wake up to February 2nd, Groundhog Day. When Phil finally convinces Rita of the truth of his experience, that is his turning point. Rita tells Phil that it could be a tremendous curse or a blessing, depending on how he looks at it. He spends the day(s) helping others and improving his life. Phil is not delivered from his crisis until he lives the day exactly the way he needs to. Rita finally falls in love with Phil, it is through Phil's qualities which are now genuinely his, and not an artificial part of his experience. We never find out exactly how Phil got stuck in the same day, or why. And that is one of the best things about the movie. Any attempt at a detailed answer would almost certainly leave more questions than answers, and would distract from the themes of the film. In short, this is a highly recommended film, and one of the few that I can watch again and again and never get tired of. *****
The clock changes to 6:00. RADIO Don't forget your booties 'cause it's cold out there! PEACE OUT!
This movie is straight out funny...it will make you crack up with every viewing. Watch out for Stephen Tobolowski in his bizarre role as Ned Ryerson, and a cameo appearance by the film's director (and Murray's costar in Ghostbusters) Harold Ramis. The features are well worth the money too.
I must confess the fascination for me lies in wondering exactly how long it took him to learn everything he does in the course of that movie. How many times would *you* have to repeat the same day to turn it into the best possible day? How many lives would you try to save, how many people would you try to make happy? How many piano lessons would you take? Would it be an option in the "real" world or would you just go mad from boredom instead? Oh I also like to watch it because it is very funny!
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": Phil starts to get to know himself and he attempts to make his life better, will he succeed?? Or will be forever trapped on Groundhog Day?
"I'm guessing March 22nd." I can't say much for the special edition treatment-there isn't really anything here to speak of. Commentary is nice, but it's obvious that not too much time or effort was put into this. The film looks good and sounds good and that's all I really care about. If you have passed over this film year after year in the video store-try it. It takes a hardened man and redeems him by the end! Very uplifting and funny.
Da movie Groundhog Day starrin' Bill Murray is very funny.Bill Murray playz a weather man who livez through groundhog day every single day.Dats just crazy,man.At first,he be freaked out.Then by da end,he start using this at his advantage to hook up with women.This movie iz off da chain.Y'all need to see this movie if ya never seen it before.It iz a clazzic. Peace To My Doggz Round All Coastz.
63 One of the great comedy classics
This is a movie that gets better with age and repeated viewings. The first time I saw it, the repetition was a bit annoying, but after seeing it a few times I came to appreciate the subtlety and comic genius. The transformation of Bill Murray's character is fun to watch, as are his attempts to recapture moments from one day to the next. What was spontaneous one day is forced as he tries to relive it again. The fact that he remembers each day makes him think he is immortal!
64 Pretty good DVD, although not exceptional
If you're a Bill Murray or Andie McDowell fan, and you really love this movie, I'd recommend you get this DVD. However, I was somewhat disappointed in the extras on the DVD. The commentary is done by Harold Ramis, who, while entertaining, is no Bill Murray. Neither is Bill anywhere to be seen on the included documentary, "The Weight of Time". Nevertheless, I highly recommend the DVD, since this is one of the better movies made in the 90's, and a very re-watchable.
65 Getting it Right
Imagine someone who is a real self-centered jerk who suddenly gets caught in a time warp that causes him to repeat the same day over and over and over until he gets it right. That is the fertile scenario that Bill Murray finds himself in when he wakes up repeatedly on Groundhog Day. The first part of the movie sets the stage as we see Bill as a big-shot big-city weatherman trying to score with the young, attractive assistant producer. They go to Puxsatawny, PA to cover the annual groundhog event along with their whimsical cameraman. Things don't go well in his quest for seduction and he is shocked to discover that when he wakes up tommorrow it's yesterday. There is a great deal of humor that comes from all of this as everybody does everything they did that day except our bewildered weatherman. In time he discovers some advantages in this merry-go-round. For example, he arranges to start taking piano lessons. By the time it's all over, he has become quite the maestro though he has yet to reach tommorrow. However, his repeated attempts to seduce the assistant producer keep coming up short. He starts learning some important lessons about himself and others in this repetative day he's stuck in. Though he improves so much as a person he is still stuck on what's best for him. The moment he finally does something that's truly selfless, the next day arrives.
66 A must have when sadness is knocking at your door
Sometime in life you think that You are not achieving anything, this movie takes you from your low state of mind into another one full of possibilities and goals.
67 Great movie, OK DVD.
I am giving this 5 stars purely for the movie - the DVD is just OK. I absolutely love the movie. It's about a weatherman (Phil) who hates covering the Groundhog Day celebrations. He acts like a complete jerk, and ends up having to repeat the day over and over and over. The cast is just great (Bill Murray, Chris Elliot, Andie McDowell) and the story is unique and well-written. The DVD is just mediocre, comes with very few special features.
68 better than ghostbusters itself.
I dont know where to begin. If you one of those people who love the movie but would give the DVD 1 satr because of "speical features" or "how good the picture looks" pass. But if your awesome and see a movie for.... oh whats thatvthing THE ACTULLE MOVIE, youll love this. ytoull laugh from beginning to end and be quoting it for days.
69 One of Bill Murray's Best
One of the best comedic performances to date by Bill Murray. He carries the load virtually by himself throughout the movie, although he also has an outstanding supporting cast.
70 Wake up! It's Groundhog Day!
One of the most clever comedies out there. I bought this movie simply because it is one of those clean comedies that is funny and sends a good message. It is the type of movie that you can watch, then put on the shelf awhile, and then watch again at a later time. This movie did not get a lot of attention when it came out, but I think this might be Bill Murray's funniest role because it captures the very nature of his cynicism that he is accustomed to producing in movies. It also stars Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliot.
71 A Comedy Classic-and the DVD makes it even better
When I first saw this movie in the early 90's, I liked it. However, I didn't think that much of it; until I realized later that it stayed with me in a way unusual for most broad comedies.
The plot is simple: a Pittsburgh weatherman reports on the appearance of "Punxstaney Phil" on Groundhog Day and gets stuck in the day. Really stuck-as in he keeps living the day over and over again. He wakes up to the same bad music (Sonny and Cher), runs into the same annoying high school friend, meets up with his perky, lovely producer and cynical cameraman (Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliot), and sees the groundhog come out again and again. For the others, the day is new and fresh each time. For our hero, it is same old, same old. Eventually, he begins to realize he can "work" with the situation (e.g., freak people out by knowing what will happen, do outrageous things with no consequence).
Bill Murray's deadpan, slightly improvisational style works beautifully in this role. Andie MacDowell isn't asked to do much more than be sweet and beautiful-and that's not too hard for her.
The DVD added so much to my appreciation of the movie. The director Harold Ramis has a most insightful track over the film. I was very interested to learn that the movie had Zen overtones (one man lives 10,000 days) as well as modeling its structure on the five stages of grief. Whoa.
I would recommend this movie to individuals who enjoy the big, broad comedies from the 80's and 90's (e.g., Ghostbusters, Stripes). I wouldn't recommend this movie to individuals who don't like Bill Murray-as this is the quintessential Murray film.
72 Awesome movie
This is my favorite movie of all time. This movie has it all... the comedy, the love story, the interesting philosophical debate of what Groundhog Day actually means. This movie will live on forever.
73 Bill Murray's Best Role
Right up there with "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" and "There's Something About Mary" there's my favorite Billy Murray comedy.... "Goundhog Day". Murray (as TV Weatherman Phil Connors) is easily the movie's lone Hollywood star, as the rest of the cast are much lesser known in the field. Andie MacDowell was probably better known for her career in modeling in 1993, than as an actress... she does a simply wonderful job as "Rita" the TV Producer. Chris Elliot does a fine job in a less annoying role than he's used to as "Larry" the cameraman (he's come a long way since being "The Man Under The Stairs" on David Letterman). The other actor to really make an impression is the man with the recognizable face, but what's his name (Stephen Tobolowsky as life insurance salesman Ned "Bing!" Ryerson). Oh, and Scooter the groundhog. As for the story, Bill Murray is stuck in the same cold day (which happens to be Groundhog Day) in Punxsutawney, PA covering the now famous festivities. He keeps reliving the same day, over and over again. Everyday he sees the same things. Everyday he meets the same people... the man in the hallway early in the morning, Doris the waitress, the town mayor, etc. He decides to make the best of the situation and do whatever he wants... only because he knows he'll wake up the next day and it will be the same day all over again. As he grows tired of reliving the same day over and over, Connors shifts his focus to Rita. First, trying to impress her. Then, trying to really care for her. When he finally does break thru to her, the spell is broken and the next day appears. I rank some of Bill Murray's movies as classic... i.e. "Caddyshack", "Stripes", "Scrooged", "What About Bob", etc... but I put "Groundhog Day" at the top of the list. Easy choice for my #1 favorite Bill Murray movie. Also an easy pick for one of my top 4-5 comedies all-time. *****
74 Don't forget your booties 'cuz it's cold out there today!
Groundhog day is a comedy and one of my all time favourite films. It stars Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a weatherman with Channel 9 Pittsburgh, and Andie MacDowell, who plays Rita his new producer.
75 Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today.
Harold Ramis' "Groundhog Day" is a one-trick pony film. There is only one joke in the film and it repeats itself over and over. Knowing this, you might think that this film just wouldn't work. After all who wants to see the same joke over and over for an hour and a half? Yet, "Groundhog Day" does work and it works admirably. Both Ramis and star Bill Murray have figured out that it's not the joke itself that will make the film work - it is how the joke is delivered.
76 Scrooge? Bailey? No, Connor.
It's the chance we'd all like and never get. Finally, an opportunity to do it all again and not screw up. And so in "Groundhog Day" Phil Connor (Bill Murray) gets the chance--and blows it. Then gets it again, and blows it again. And on we all go on a wild excursion from delightful comedy to the darkest recesses of the human soul. Sure it's been done. Scrooge took an equally dark ride though his past in an attempt to reclaim his soul; and George Bailey was given the opportunity to view the world without him. "Groundhog Day" isn't better, but it's damned good. What's more, Scrooge was s-o-o-o very evil, and George Bailey was s-o-o-o very good. Phil Connor is Everyman.
77 Underrated Classic
This film is one of my favorites. It has a genuinely original plot, a superb cast, a non-cliched script, and great humor. This movie works on several levels. On the surface, it is a light-hearted comedy, and stands up extremely well to the best comedies ever made. However, it has much deeper meanings as well. (Warning- Spoilers to follow. If you have not seen the movie, I suggest that you stop reading and experience it for yourself.)
78 A film to see again and again ....
I have two films that I just enjoy seeing again and again. This one and Sleepless in Seattle. Both romantic comedies, both dreamlike and both that just make you realize how special life really is.
79 Then put your little hand in mine.....
GREAT MOVIE! Bill's best next to the Ghostbusters movies! I love this movie! Don't own the DVD, but will soon! Everybody should see this movie! "Hi, Ned!" then he punches Ned in the face! hahahahahaha! And the name of this review.....
...then put your little hand in mine
'cuz there ain't no hill or mountain
we can't climb...
80 Wonderful
This movie starts with a really interesting and original premise and plays with that premise for two hours without losing any freshness. It's a funny story that acts on two levels. For those of you in Philosophy: it's Nietzsche's eternal return! Yeah, no kidding. For those of you who have no interest in philosophy. It's also a very light, sweet, romantic comedy. One of my favourite movies.
81 Wonderful Movie
This movie starts with a really interesting and original premise and plays with that premise for two hours without losing any freshness. It's a funny story that acts on two levels. For those of you in Philosophy: it's Nietzsche's eternal return! Yeah, no kidding. For those of you who have no interest in philosophy. It's also a very light, sweet, romantic comedy. One of my favourite movies.
82 it's going to last you the rest of your life!
Groundhog Day is the funniest movie of the 90's. Brilliant performance by Bill Murray who plays a cocky weatherman Phil Connors who covers Groundhog day every year in the small town of Punxatawnee that he hates. The day end with him being stuck there because of a blizzard that he didn't predict...and what more, he relives groundhog day over and over again...taking advantage of it, taking his own life, making a move on his producer Andie Macdowell which turns out to be his first lesson in reviewing his inner cruelty and becoming a better person, and a local hero!
83 Groundhog Day Again
I first saw this movie when it first came out with my parents. I couldn't really remember it. Maybe it's the fact that I fell asleep when I saw it with them. I never really wanted to see the movie because I thought that it was dumb even though I never watched it. I saw it on television just a few years ago and it is the craziest most funny movie I think that I have seen in a long time. It is one of those "Oh, Gee The Story of my Life" films. It lets us know that life is too short not to have fun and go do what ever we want. It let's us see our life choices and options and other paths we could have taken. If you could change one thing in the day would you. Bill Murray gets the chance in Groundhog Day in his motion in finding the likeness in tradition and the love of Andie McDowell. The repeating days just allow him to fix his mistakes in a comical evolution. Joke is played different everyday. I really love this soon to be classic comedy. Two Thumbs Up!!!
84 It made me think
Not only is this a very entertaining and funny movie, it contains food for thought. As I watched Bill Murray's character go through the stages of grief at the discovery that he is stuck in the same day over and over, I realized this is a parallel to our lives. We have our own days to live over and over, but we choose how we will live them and what we can gain from the time that we have.
85 Bill Murray at his best
One of my most watched and favourite comedies. I was interested to see some of the other reviews here that compare it to a Karmic journey - that opened my eyes a little.
86 Bill Murray's performance is terrific!
Bill Murray plays self-centered and sarcastic TV weatherman Phil Connors in "Groundhog Day". Giving everyone contemptuous and snide remarks, it's no wonder that both his TV producer Rita (Andie MacDowell) and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliot) find him completely dislikable. On an assignment, Phil along with his crew is sent to the small town of Punxsutawney, PA to report on the annual celebration of Groundhog Day. Phil of course can't wait to get out of the town but 'disaster' strikes when a blizzard comes in fast and hard, making it impossible for Phil to leave the town of Punxsutawney. Strangely enough, Phil wakes up the next morning, finding out it 'isn't' the next morning, he has again woken up on February 2nd, 1992! Day after day, he must live through the same Groundhog Day! Will he ever be able to break out of the time loop or is he destined to live the same day over and over? Phil desperately wants to go back to his normal life. And more than anything, he wants to be the kind of man Rita would fall in love with, just as he becomes to fall in love with her....
*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.*
87 What a great film
Not only one of the best comedies ever made. This is one of the most heartwarming movies ever made. Bill Murray gives his best performance in this movie. When you watch this, it makes you want Bill to come out with another movie, he's a very unnapreciated actor. Very talented.
88 What vain weathercocks are we...
When I first saw this movie, I could only think that it was incredibly stupid, but the second time, I saw that there is a very important message.
As the vain, conceited, ill-tempered and mean spirited weatherman, Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) is forced to live each life day after day, in a type of private hell, we see how there is a spiritual message here.
We are all here to learn lessons and our dilemmas will continue to be repeated until we rectify our mistakes.
In a sense the same theme as the Scrooge story. Bill Murray was also superb in `Scrooged'!
A superb performance by Andie McDowell as the movie's leading lady.
89 Don't Dirve Angery
Phil Coners hates going to the little town in Pennsylvania but he is very thankful that he is only going to be there for one day(or so he thinks). The days start repeating themselves and suddenly Phil has been everywhere in town and knows exactly what is going to happen in the town at any given time.
90 One day over and over with Andie MacDowell?
Life could be MUCH worse. Embittered weatherman Murray takes on small town Pennsylvania, covering groundhog day with his new boss MacDowell and creepy camera-guy Chris Elliot (in one of his few understated and enjoyable roles). This comedy came in under the radar-it was not a big hit, but it has the stars and script that should have made it one. Bill Murray is PERFECT for this part, and any collection of his classic film lines, from GHOSTBUSTERS and CADDYSHACK thru the present would have to include at least a couple of the following from this film:
"I'd love to stay and talk...but I'm not going to."
"I'm BOTH! I'm a celebrity in an emergency!"
"Yeah, they're hicks Rita."
"Morons! Your bus is leaving."
"Well what if there IS NO TOMORROW!? THERE WASN'T TODAY! Hello?"
91 My favorite comedy of all time...
...is a praise I don't offer lightly. This movie isn't only unbelievably funny, but also very intelligent. I've seen it about 10 times and it seems to get better with each viewing. Great actors (Bill Murray: never better), even in the smallest roles, a fantastic script and a fine direction all contribute to a wonderful experience. The extras are a worthy addition to a fine DVD.
92 Great!
This is a TERRIFIC movie. Get the "Special Edition" if you don't own it, otherwise be happy with the version you got.
93 This Movie Be Funny
Yo,Wat up playaz and playetz.
94 Rise and shine wood-chuck-chuckers, it's GROUNDHOG DAY!
The second DVD release of Harold Ramis's GROUNDHOG DAY does justice to such a brilliantly clever comedy taken from a simple yet superb premise. Bill Murray is at his best here, showcasing his perfect comedic timing par excellence. Leaning more towards a rom-com than straight laugh-out-loud comedy, this nontheless is the pinnacle of both Ramis and Murray's career. Nothing else has come close to the wit and genius that pervades every scene throughout the running time. Sarcastic sourpuss weatherman Phil Conners goes to the small town of Punxsutawney to report on the Groundhog festival, and wakes up the next day to Sonny and Cher's "I got you babe". However he starts to get concerned when everything repeats on itself ad infinitum. The key to the cleverness is that it's never explained how Phil gets stuck in his one-man timewarp, and critics and curios of the film point out that throughout his self-discovery and dispatching numerous clock radios, that it's possible that Phil has been stuck in groundhog day for years. But aside from fascinting ponderings, the film lends itself surprisingly well to the comedic fore. The extent that Phil goes to to woo his weather reporter companion Rita (Andie McDowell) provides some great gags. Screenwriter Danny Rubin's sharp back-and-forth dialouge is another key element to what makes this one of the timeless comedies.
The DVD extras are impressive, with the doco "The Weight Of Time" being the highlight, with insightful thoughts from the director and writers. You also get a dry commentary from Harold Ramis, trailers and talent profiles. The DVD digital transfer is top-notch, with sound and picture quality 10 out of 10. A must-buy DVD for Murray
