MOVIE REVIEW: GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)

How did I ever go so long without watching this film? Among the buzziest and most referenced movies of the 90s, even the title itself has become a common phrase to describe inescapable repetition. At long last, I sat down and watched Bill Murray vs February 2^nd, and I’m glad I did. Even this many years after its release, Groundhog Day remains clever, poignant, and watchable film.

Pittsburgh-area weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is on assignment in Punxsutawney, covering the annual Groundhog Day event. Will Phil the groundhog see his shadow, thereby signaling six more weeks of winter? The answer becomes irrelevant, as Phil Connors finds himself trapped in an unexplained time loop. Every morning, regardless of what he tries to do, he wakes up on February 2^nd, with the town around him repeating everything over and over again. To Phil’s dismay, he is the only one aware that this perpetual loop exists. This leads to desperate attempts to break the cycle and, eventually, self-discovery.

Bill Murray carries this film, both because he has to as the main character and only one aware of the time loop, but also because he is so skilled as an actor. In the wrong hands, Phil Connors would have been either too goofy or too dramatic. Murray is the best and only choice for the role. Phil’s cynical, misanthropic attitude early in the film plays right to Murray’s strengths- he excels at blunt, almost mean-spirited comedic delivery (as well as being Murray’s real-life persona for a time). The confused and upset stage of Phil’s journey allows Murray to shred with his delivery.

Once Phil accepts the reality of being stuck repeating Groundhog Day, Murray is able to play a little looser and have fun just as Phil uses the predicament for his own personal enjoyment. These scenes go by quickly, and signify that the novelty doesn’t last long for Phil. With no way out, Phil has to learn to live with himself, if not improve himself. This opens up new avenues for Murray to explore. There’s still plenty of humor, but a more mature and thoughtful blend. Phil still favors his self-serving instincts when he decides to use the daily quirk to slowly find ways to seduce his producer (Andie MacDowell), but surprises await him down even that road.

I enjoyed this movie very much. Perhaps hearing the hype for so long and not having seen it sooner held it back for me. Maybe I need to watch it again, because it may well be a great film. The script is tight and provides plenty of laughs, but it also invites the audience into an open-ended philosophical discussion- not just about Phil, but about all of humanity. That’s impressive for a quirky yet unpretentious comedy. Groundhog Day doesn’t try to be more than what it is, but what it is happens to be more than what the filmmakers may have set out for it to be. These kinds of happy accidents are wonderful to take in.

FINAL RATING: 3.75 out of 5