Groundhog Day (1993)

Directed by Harold Ramis Writing credits (WGA) Danny Rubin (story) Danny Rubin (screenplay) ...  (more)

Add to MyMovies

IMDbPro Professional Details

User Comments:

18 out of 20 people found the following comment useful:-
Releasing that loop, 4 June 2004
Author: (farfromperfection) from Colchester, UK

I could go on forever about how this movie changed my life and the way I look on it, but hey, so many have before me that my words will probably disappear into a mist of obscurity.

I watched this movie one day, bored and having heard it was one of the best of its kind I wanted to check out the hype. Knowing the guy who was bringing the video also happened to be the guy I had a particularly strong "crush" for at the time, I was kind of hoping the movie would make him see or confront the emotions I had for quite a while, tried to make him realize.

In fact, I was so absorbed in the film and its depths that I couldn't give a toss about the "guy" so much so that when he left I was still thinking about how Groundhog Day was relevant to my life and completely disregarded his presence. No problem there, as he was a complete, well, whatever.

Once I headed off to bed I realized how much Groundhog Day was reflecting my life, and in particular at the time it made me recognise how chasing the same things in life (and at the precise moment, the "guy") seemed futile. Suffice to say, I soon accepted this guy was not worth my energy and tears. How true was I. But I digress.

For months I had lived the exact same life I could see Phil Connors struggling with as he went through February the 2nd over and over again. My life was on autopilot and I was becoming frustrated with living the life I had tried so hard not to. Perhaps this is why I identified with Connors complete and utter agony at waking up living the same day again. It made me realize that unless I changed something, I would forever be stuck on this loop. From that day forth I endeavored to take my chances with what I felt was true and make my life more like the one I had always wanted it to be. Not assuming I am impulsive because let me assure you I am not, it certainly made me understand that if I had carried on in the same mind-frame I would have ended up dying with exactly the same lack of integrity and experience as I was enduring at the time. But I am by no means perfect!

What annoyed me is friends that have either seen it before or since my pleasure of watching the film only see it at face value, and although many of them enjoyed the movie, they didn't comprehend its hidden depths. They didn't grasp what the film was trying to tell the viewer nor did they understand why, eventually Connors broke the cycle. Now I'm no genius, but I could clearly see Groundhog Day was NOT about falling in love, or getting the girl, and life being peachy. Mainly, because life isn't like that. In order for Connors to break the cycle he had to change everything which was keeping him in that "rut". The fact that he also found Rita as a consequence was merely an addition to the concept, but it ended the film nicely.

Murray was cast brilliantly as the frustrated, angry Connors and his morphing as the role hit new depths was utterly plausible. I felt as if I was in that movie experiencing his emotions as they played on on the screen because in a way, I knew how he felt. Sadly, it is a film that is looked upon as a "comedy with romance" which by today's standards are frowned at, mainly by so much drivel that is purged out time and time again. If you want a classic, heart warming and life altering movie, Groundhog Day should be your first port of call.

Check for other user comments.

I have seen this movie and would like to comment on it

Message Boards

Recommendations

If you like this title, we also recommend...

The Flintstones (1994)

Show more recommendations

Add a recommendation

Email this page to a friend

Update Information

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the button on the left will take you through a new improved step-by-step process.