After many years of hearing about this title referenced in some other movies or TV series, I finally got the chance to watch this film. I was browsing through the TV channels after long day work and stumbled into 1 showing this movie.
Since it already started like 5 minutes, I can only tell it from my point of view starting from the scene where Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray - Ghostbusters, Lost in Translation and others), a weather broadcaster coming to a small town called Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania together with the camera man Larry (played by Chris Elliot) and their show producer Rita Hanson (played by Andie Mac Dowell - Four Weddings and a Funeral, Michael etc). Phil seem to be not interested in this assignment and he was also very arrogant, the opposite of the very calm, patient and sophisticated Rita.
Phil was dropped by at the inn where he will stay for the night, as the news coverage that he has to do is on the following day. After spending the night, Phil was waked up by the song "I got you babe" by Sony and Cher at exactly 6 AM playing on the radio. It's the Groundhog Day (see below for more on this day, only if you're interested to know) and people were informed to get ready for the festivity. When Phil finished taking his bath, he went out of the room and met a person at the hallway and had a short chat with him about the start of spring date. Then he went down stairs and met the waitress at the breakfast place in the inn who offered him for coffee or bread but Phil rejected and really looked down on her when replying. He went out to walk to the location where he was supposed to show the weather news and he was called by a person who knew him from high school and now sells insurance (Ned-played by Stephen Tobolowsky). Phil strongly avoided him and accidentally stepped on mud.
When Phil finally reached the location for his news broadcast, he read the news without interest and after finished, all three of them went to their car to leave the town. Unfortunately due to the blizzard, they were stuck and had to return back to the town which made Phil very upset. He took bath which was very cold as there was no hot water and went to sleep immediately.
The following day finally came, and Phil was waked up at exactly 6 AM with the song "I got you babe" and the radio broadcaster told it's the Groundhog Day which Phil felt very strange and thought probably the holiday was for 2 days in that town. He went out and met the same person in the hallway whom he met earlier and had same conversation, met the same waitress offering the same thing and went out of the inn also found Ned calling him again. Phil felt very strange and went to the location of the news where everything happened exactly the same before.
Phil thought he was going crazy, so he tried to see brain doctor who said he was fine, then went to psychiatrist who could not diagnoze him. He then go to the bar, having drinks with 2 guys he just met and both of them recommended if it's the final day of his life, he should take advantage of it. So he went on to drive car recklessly, got arrested. But again on the following day it's same day again.
Phil then use this knowledge to do all crazy stunts, like getting a woman for 1 night stand, steal money, etc. Finally he decided to try to seduce Rita by getting all information of her likes and dislikes. At 1 day he was doing everything perfectly but at the last minute, Rita rejected Phil's attempt to sleep with her and the following days repeated without Phil ever getting Rita.
Phil finally felt very frustrated and bored and tried to commit suicides but he could not even get himself killed.
So does Phil ever get to go through this particular day? Can Phil make Rita fell for him? Can he keep his sanity? Find out by watching this film till the conclusion. I promise that it will be refreshing and fun watching it till the end.
I had a nice moment watching the movie as I get to see Bill Murray's performance. You can feel his excitement when he realized he could do anything that he want without bearing the consequence but you can also understand his frustration and later felt sorry & happy for him.
This is a 1993 drama and comedy movie, but not the kind where you will laugh out loud. The time loop is not a mystery to be solved, but only serves as the background. It would also be fun trying to calculate how many days actually was repeated. Can you guess?
And finally, the film I think is supposed to make us think what we would or should do if we are able to go back to repeat 1 day in our lives.
Mike's movie moments rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Note:
Groundhog day is traditional holiday celebrated on the 2nd February where groundhog (some kind of marmot) is supposedly able to predict whether the winter is taking longer or the spring will arrive earlier by setting it free from its hole. The whole story of Groundhog Day is available in internet.
