A Strange Sort of Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (3 February 2007)

GROUNDHOG DAY is one of those surprise wonders as a film that has grown so much more in prominence over the years. When first released, it seemed intended to be a typical romantic comedy with an SNL-feel (given the presence of Bill Murray, Brian Doyle-Murray, Chris Elliot, and director Ramis who gave us STRIPES, CADDYSHACK, and VACATION, plus co-wrote GHOSTBUSTERS). And somehow, over time, the movie began to work its magic on audiences, slowly starting to make them reevaluate it, to see profound elements in it, and eventually label it as a classic. I've even heard it referred to as a spiritually significant film for some.
Most everyone knows the premise: a Scrooge-like man finds himself doomed to relive the same day over and over again, for what apparently will be eternity. After accepting his situation, he goes through several phases: first taking advantage of the time loop for hedonistic pleasures, then entering a depressed, suicidal phase, and finally reaching out and becoming a new person. I think it's this last third that stays with audiences the most, as we watch our hero truly transform and care for others.
Two things in particular make this a great movie:
1. The creativity of the script. It's as if Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis took this premise and thought out every single idea they could do with it. We watch Phil use his situation to take advantage of women. Later he hears news of a man's death, then tries to save him the next day. We watch him commit suicide multiple times, only to keep waking up back on the same morning. He steals money and buys things, only to be back to square one the next day. Several times he makes a connection with Rita, but she will always have no memory of it the next time they meet. It's a wonder when, after seeing her throughout the whole movie, you'll see her in a scene 90 minutes in and she'll once more act like she hardly knows Phil. You have to admire the actors, filming scenes upon scenes countless times, having to give variations on the exact same situations that we keep seeing repeated.
2. Bill Murray's performance. Like his character in LOST IN TRANSLATION, he plays someone who is funny and tired of being funny, and grows as a character throughout. Even when committing multiple suicides, Murray keeps the scenes darkly humorous. In fact, one has to admire the way the film never steps out of being a comedy. What if the script had been completely revamped and made to be a serious drama, with a non-comedic actor in the lead? Perhaps it would've worked, but it wouldn't have been THIS movie.
The story never explains why this curse is happening to Phil, nor does it need to. The result is a film with a number of good laughs, and something more. GROUNDHOG DAY is a true achievement, and Murray and Ramis at their best.