Groundhog Day Film Review

Released: 1993

Director: Harold Ramis

Producers: Trevor Albert, Harold Ramis

Running time: 1 hr 41 mins

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance

Distributed by: Columbia Pictures

Budget: $14,600,000

The Film

Phil Connors is a weatherman and is sent to Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania to cover the Groundhog Day events. He is accompanied by Rita, the News producer and Larry, the cameraman. Phil doesn't hide the fact that he doesn't enjoy this event, which he has been covering each year for a few years now.

The first morning he wakes up in a Bed and Breakfast to the song 'I've got you Babe' sung by Sony & Cher and the radio presenter talking. He goes to work to forecast the weather and tell people about the events. He explains about the snow and blizzard that has covered the town. The next day, he is woken up with the same song and talking on the radio. As the day progresses, he soon begins to realise that the exact same things are happening as the previous day. With each new day that dawns, he finds himself reliving the same events as the previous days. Phil realises that he can use this to his own advantage. With each day that passes, he soon learns the movements of people and even what they are going to say.

As an example, there is a funny scene in the film. He spots a security van loading sacks of cash into the back of the van. Each day he watches them and he knows every move the security guards make and what the people around them do. They turn their backs for 1 second, and in this split second Phil is able to grab a sack of cash and walk off. Of course, they turn back round bemused. As with everything that Phil does in this film, whatever he does has little consequence as the next day is exactly the same. As another sub-plot in the story, he also uses these days to try and win the love of his work colleague, Rita. As each day passes, he quickly learns her likes and dislikes and remembers all this so she grows to like him more.

Throughout the film we see how Phil deals with living through the same day over and over again. It would drive anyone to insanity, and there are parts in the film where it does! But there are also aspects of the film where he uses these days for his benefit.

I've not seen this film in a few years, so had forgotten how funny it is. I've always been a big fan of Bill Murray. He's an excellent actor and is very funny too. And he certainly doesn't disappoint in this film. Although Harold Ramis directs and produces this film, he has a somewhat small part in the film playing the neurologist. It's good to see him in the film though as both him and Bill Murray have been in a few films together over the years.

There are some funny moments in this film that made me laugh. I mentioned the security van scene. Another funny scene is when he tells everyone in the cafe who they are and what they like or dislike. They are all aghast at how he knows this, but to Phil this is what he sees every day. There is also the love story between him and Rita which I found nice to watch.

All in all, I do enjoy watching this. Some scenes, however, may not be suitable for children. There are scenes during the film where Phil takes his own life a couple of times. I know, sounds strange doesn't it? But, that's Groundhog Day for you! But, this is an enjoyable and amusing film to watch.