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Groundhog Day | Description: Frank Capra meets Rod Serling in this high concept comedy that thoroughly follows through on its premise. As a cynical weatherman, Murray finds himself trapped by a blizzard he failed to predict and doomed to repeat the worst day of his life until he discovers the key to moving his life forward. Year: 1993 Classification: Comedy/Romance Directed: - Harold Ramis Actors/Actresses: - Stephen Tobolowsky as Ned Ryerson - Chris Elliott as Chris Elliott - Bill Murray as Phil Connors - Andie MacDowell as Rita - Marita Geraghty as Nancy - Rick Ducommun as Gus - Rick Overton as Ralph - Willie Garson as Kenny - Les Podewell - Rod Sell - Robin Duke as Doris - Andie Macdowell - Andy Macdowell - Angela Paton Grows on you This movie is great stuff. In it, Bill Murray plays a misanthropic weatherman who gets stuck in a time loop, and keeps on waking up every morning in Punxatawney Pennsylvania on February 2nd. He is funny, but still basically a jerk (a funny jerk) for about the first half of the movie. Eventually, it seems to start to sink in that he is in this little town for keeps, and he may as well appreciate what it has to offer, and what he might have to offer it. Gradually, he starts to actually value life for the first time ever. He learns to play a mean jazz piano; ice sculpting; auto mechanics; basic medical skills, etc. etc. etc. He ends up "getting the girl" in the end, but that isn't exactly the point, I don't think. First he has to learn to see what is beautiful or valuable in the world around him, as well as inside himself, and to act upon that understanding, before he is even seen as a human being by the people around him. This movie has heart, and really makes you wake up and see the world in a different, better light. I paid this movie the ultimate, and most appropriate compliment after I bought the tape -- after I saw it the first time, I just rewound it, and immediately watched it again. 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.... 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 w Renaissance Man Extraordinaire - Carpe Diem There are so many messages behind this great movie with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. He is head over heals for MacDowell from the start, but as an arrogant weatherman, he seems to just tick her off from the start as well. 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. Buy Groundhog Day at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Groundhog Day Search with the Priority Search Engine on Groundhog Day This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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