Groundhog Day (Bill Murray)

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It’s at least ten years since we watched ‘Groundhog Day’, a 1993 film which is now considered a classic. Indeed, until this film became popular, the concept of ‘Groundhog Day’ was barely known outside the US. It referred (as we discover at the start of the film) to the superstition regarding a groundhog’s shadow on February 2nd foretelling whether or not winter was due to end.

We first saw this film at the cinema, and liked it very much. So, when we began collecting DVDs, around the year 2000 and later, this was one which I bought when it was on special offer at one of the online sites. We probably watched it around that date, but had not seen it again since then.

The film stars Bill Murray as a somewhat cynical TV weather reporter called Phil. Each year he travels to the small town of Punxsutawney where the groundhog - also called Phil - is consulted by the town dignitaries. Phil isn’t particularly keen on covering this story yet again, but sets off with his producer Rita (Andie McDowell) and the camera operator and driver Larry (Chris Elliot). They make their report, and decide to get back to Pittsburgh that night. But they’re stopped by a blizzard and have to return for another night.

When Phil wakes up the following morning, it’s February 2nd again. Nobody else seems to realise, but he goes through the same procedures, meeting the same people, becoming more and more confused and ending up stopped by the blizzard once more…

It’s no real spoiler to say that this state of affairs continues for some time. The phrase ‘Groundhog Day’ has come into common parlance meaning something like ‘ongoing deja vu’, or events repeating themselves, as a result of this film. Phil is at first mystified, then irritated, then decides he is so frustrated that the only way out is to kill himself. Some of the scenes that follow could be considered disturbing, but are done for comic effect… and each time he wakes up again at 6.00 on February 2nd, to the same music and banter on his clock radio.

He then decides to use this mysterious repetition of his days to learn new things about other people, in particular his producer Rita, whom he finds attractive. She is at first inclined to distrust him, but he gradually learns more about her likes and dislikes, and adjusts his own behaviour and conversation to suit her better. He changes in himself, too, becoming slowly less cynical and more humanitarian in his outlook.

The story of course is entirely surreal, and we never learn why this odd repetition of Groundhog Day keeps happening. But it works well as a story of self-discovery; of being forced to take stock, and to discover what really matters. I had forgotten most of the detail, other than the fact that Phil takes piano lessons, going from total beginner to concert pianist level in what appears to be a short time. But the day was supposed to repeat itself thousands of times, even though we don’t see every detail.

It’s a very well-made film, in my view, showing just enough to understand what is happening without overdoing it. There’s plenty of humour, but it’s mostly understated, and the inevitable slapstick in places isn’t repeated too many times. Phil is at first quite manipulative, once he adjusts to his bizarre repetitive lifestyle, but gradually discovers what really matters in life.

The rating is PG in both the US and UK, and I think that’s about right. There’s only the mildest of language, and a couple of passionate scenes go no further than kissing. The suicide attempts aren’t gratuitously violent but could be disturbing to a young child, or anyone who has lost someone in this way. I don’t think a child would find the film interesting anyway, though it might appeal to teenagers.

All in all, we enjoyed ‘Groundhog Day’ very much, and I look forward to seeing it again in another nine or ten years.

Review copyright 2018 Sue's DVD Reviews