Over & Over Again

Rating: 8/10 (10 December 2013)

Harold Ramis directed this inventive comedy that stars Bill Murray as Pittsburgh TV Weatherman Phil Connors, who is a cynical, sarcastic man most resentful about being sent again to cover the annual Groundhog Day festival in Punxatawney Pennsylvania. After spending a joyless day there, he is shocked to learn that it is still the same day(Feb. 2) again. Then again, and again! In fact, no matter what he says or does, he is stuck in a 24 hour time loop that only he knows about. Eventually, Phil starts to change, and becomes determined to win the affection of colleague Rita(played by Andie MacDowell) no matter how long it takes, since Phil has a lot of time on his hands... Wonderful film takes a potentially one-joke premise and constantly finds new things to do with it. Both funny and warm, this really builds up a sense of good will and empathy for Phil, and is also helped by fine supporting performances.