an all time favorite

Rating: 10/10 (15 April 2005)

This is one of my top 5 movies of all time. It is one of a very short list that I have seen over 10 times. I never get bored with it because the setting of the movie is so convincingly laid out that you feel like you are able to spy on the characters as the story unfolds. This is a rare quality that I have only seen with a few other movies: "Fargo", "Cape Fear" (the one with DeNiro), and "It's a Wonderful Life" It is similar to how you would feel if you were able to see a film of close friends in an entertaining story. You feel as you know the people and the place. Fantastic! Bill Murray is Outstanding!! Chris Elliot is a funny supporting character. Andie McDowell, however, leaves question as to Bill Murray's Characters taste in women (a little too angelic for my taste - doesn't fit at all with his character). The townspeople have a strong role in this picture. They are the Currier and Ives simple-folk backdrop to Bill Murray's city-slicker character.