Eureka! I can finally declare to the world my enthusiasm for "Groundhog Day."

Rating: Null/10 (2 February 2002)

Eureka! I can finally declare to the world my enthusiasm for "Groundhog Day." Besides providing Bill Murray the best venue yet for his comedic genius, it gives him a role that resonates with the spiritual angst of his character in "The Razor's Edge." Both roles reflect Buddhist themes. "Groundhog Day" strikes equally deep chords whether one sees Phil's revved up life journey as toiling toward Christian redemption or Buddhist enlightenment. I love that Phil has to give up wanting the object of his desire (the girl) in order to get it. He has to plunge to the depths of despair and accept that there is no escape from the cycle of life and death except through surrender. Yet it is also true that he learns the rewards of unselfish behavior. Finally, joy and love are his after pursuing activities in which he develops his full potential -- jazz and classical piano, ice sculpting, speaking and reading French, to name a few. In the end he is loved and lovable because he does not seek love in his own self-interest.
There are many sub-themes on Phil's way to enlightenment. One of my favorite scenes is when Phil philosophizes with two drunks while driving along railroad tracks toward an oncoming train: "What if there were no tomorrow? That means there'd be no consequences! Your whole life it's the same, 'Clean up your room. Be nice to your sister. Don't mix beer and wine. Don't drive on the railroad tracks.'" (One of the drunks says, "Hey, I happen to agree with that one!") Phil goes on, "Sometimes you just have to take things in your own hands. I'm not going to live by their rules any more. You make your choices and you live with them." Then, he dies one of his many deaths and wakes up again the next day.