A Classic Fantasy Fable: Bill Murray's Best

Rating: 9/10 (2 February 2013)

Bill Murray will be remembered for the "Ghostbusters" films but this is his best. This is a fable that most of us can relate to: what if we could do it all over again? Mistakes, broken promises, fatal errors that ruined our life and cannot be undone. In "Groundhog Day"' a self-centered egotistic man is "cursed" to relive the same 24 hour day over and over again. The spell is broken when he finally gets it right, which appears to take 40 or 50 times. Chris Elliot (the cameraman) gives a surprisingly restrained performance and Andie MacDowell plays "Rita" the TV producer. She is a small town girl that wants a better life. Cleverly written with many plot twists. Every day is almost the same but slightly different. For example, Phil robs an armored truck, and dresses in a "Superfly" outfit complete with fancy car. His "date" dresses like a "French Maid". Such outrageous events do not repeat and happen only once. It's always 6 AM again with the radio playing "I Got You Babe" and Phil jumping into a freezing cold shower; heading off again to re-tape the same "Groundhog Day" segment for a small time Pittsburgh Pa. TV station.
Almost a "10" but I give it a "9" because I do not like the suicidal implications of the film. Phil gives up on himself and decides to die in a very violent manner because he cannot move forward. He jumps off a building. Electrocutes himself. Finally, he drives off a cliff and the truck bursts into a ball of fire; witnessed with horror by his film crew. (The groundhog is "driving"!) It's both hilarious and terrible to watch. But he doesn't die. He wakes up in bed at 6AM again and again.
This film is actually embraced by many religious groups for its unique and unusual philosophical message. Why does the same day keep repeating? There is a hint in the film: Listen for a soundtrack "ping" when he washes his hands at 6:01 AM. It's a time warp. Is he being cursed or blessed by an evil supernatural force or an angel? Because Phil finally gets it right, I'm betting on the angel. Like "It's a Wonderful Life", the weather doesn't change until the day does. Phil is now a changed man with a purpose in life and finally wins the girl's heart. The last song in the movie is from "Brigadoon", the musical about a magical Scottish village, suspended in time. Harold Ramis both co-writes and directs. His best film also!