GROUNDHOG DAY
dir: Harold Ramis
"I wake up every day, right here, right in Punxsutawney, and it's always February 2nd, and there's nothing I can do about it. " - Phil
Brief Synopsis
A self-centered weatherman stuck in a small town to report on Groundhog Day festivities awakes realizing that Groundhog Day is happening over, and over, and over again.
Why It's Here
Danny Rubin's script for "Groundhog Day" is one of the most inventive comedy scripts of the 1990's. The film defines Bill Murray as a comic and serious actor, evolving from his Saturday Night Live days, "Groundhog Day" allows Murray to explore the character of Phil Connors, an obnoxious, egotistical weatherman who must learn the lesson of selflessness to better his imprisoned life.
"Groundhog Day" is both hilarious due to Murray's sarcastic performance, but also initially deeply depressing to see a man trapped within time (the director claims 10 years pass), unable to escape to the next day and continue his life. Anyone ever wishing to live forever only needs to see the imprisoning hell of Phil Connor's eternal life to change their minds. The film's frightening time loop is turned into an uplifting message of rebirth, selflessness, and love as Phil eventually comes to terms with himself and his ways and makes an effort to change them.
The formula is rich and the repetition is brilliantly edited to display Connor's growing knowledge of the familiar world around him, "Groundhog Day" is an inventive comedy that ventures into territory too bold for any other comedy to follow, and unmistakable classic.
"Groundhog Day" is both hilarious due to Murray's sarcastic performance, but also initially deeply depressing to see a man trapped within time (the director claims 10 years pass), unable to escape to the next day and continue his life. Anyone ever wishing to live forever only needs to see the imprisoning hell of Phil Connor's eternal life to change their minds. The film's frightening time loop is turned into an uplifting message of rebirth, selflessness, and love as Phil eventually comes to terms with himself and his ways and makes an effort to change them.
The formula is rich and the repetition is brilliantly edited to display Connor's growing knowledge of the familiar world around him, "Groundhog Day" is an inventive comedy that ventures into territory too bold for any other comedy to follow, and unmistakable classic.