Groundhog Day

 

     Rise and shine, campers! Don't forget your booties, because it's cold out there today! Is this Miami Beach? Not hardly! The big question that the people in their chapped lips are asking is: Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? That's right, woodchuck-chuckers, it's... GROUNDHOG DAY!

   Groundhog Day, a classic 90s flick starring comedy legend Bill Murray (Ghostbusters and Caddyshack). Also starring Andie MacDowell (Sex, Lies, and Videotape), Chris Elliot (There's Something About Mary & Everybody Loves Raymond), Stephen Tobolosky as Ned Ryerson, and Brian Doyle Murray. And directed by the late Harold Ramis (Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, and the original National Lampoon's Vacation). 

   Egotistic TV weatherman, Phil Connors (Bill Murray) can't stand Groundhog Day. For the fourth year, he has to report whether or not the Groundhog will see his shadow or not. Phil goes there and makes no effort to hide his sarcastic frustration to the camera. Then, an unexpected blizzard occurs, and Phil and his crew have to stay in Punxsutawney, PA, until the storm's cleared. But here's where the real nightmare begins: when Phil Connors woke up the next day... it's Groundhog Day... AGAIN! As you could guess, he's reliving the same day over and over again! Will this mean Phil Connors will be stuck in Groundhog Day forevermore?? You just wait and see. I'll tell you this, though: he does ultimately change his ways.

   This is a very interesting comedy. I think it's safe to say that what I love about this movie is that it gave someone a chance to change their idiotic and selfish ways into a caring and respectful person. According to some fans of Groundhog Day, they notice that there are elements of Buddhism in the movie. The Buddhism concept is reliving a bad day in your life until you make things right. When this was told to director, Harold Ramis, who happened to be a Buddhist, he never noticed that he portrayed the concept in the movie. Now, I'm no Buddhist, but I find that idea cool. It's just something to think about. Overall, a good movie for everyone to enjoy. Especially on today of all days, Groundhog Day.

Parents Guide: This movie is rated PG. There are some sexual innuendos in this flick. Bill Murray does flip the bird in one scene. Some language is used, not a lot, thankfully. In some of his repeated days, Bill Murray tries to kill himself, like getting run over by a truck, and even jumping off a building! That could scare younger viewers. Andie MacDowell slaps Bill Murray on the face several times, even in a montage. Smoking and drinking is shown in the movie, too. 

Did You Know?: Harold Ramis originally wanted Tom Hanks to play the lead in Groundhog Day. Other stars like John Travolta, Steve Martin, and Chevy Chase to play the lead. Originally, Phil Connors was supposed to live on February 2nd for (get this) ten thousand years! This movie has made Punxsutawney, PA a major tourist attraction. Last year, 2020, before the virus hit, Bill Murray and Stephen Tobolosky reprised their roles in the movie for a special Super Bowl commercial based on this iconic movie. In 2016, a Broadway musical adaptation of Groundhog Day premiered and won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.