Groundhog Day (1993)

I think I was 10 when I saw Groundhog Day for the first time. I remember it was a snowy day, during the holidays if I'm not wrong. I did, however, see only the last 20 minutes or so. I was so charmed by it that I immediately took the guide magazine and looked for the movie's title. I wrote it down so to remember it the next time I'd see it was on TV. And I did remember. In fact, I watched it every single time it until I didn't anymore. Having realised that I haven't seen it in years, I decided to rewatch for the actual Groundhog Day, and I still loved it.

Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is a cynical and misanthropic weatherman who is sent, for the fourth year in a row, to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. Once there, he makes no effort to hide his frustration to his cameraman Larry (Chris Elliott) and producer Rita (Andie MacDowell). Doing this "stupid" coverage will be the least of his problems though as the following day he wakes up to discover that it's Groundhog Day again, and again, and again. 

It's a very simple story, one that you have definitely seen before, even if you have somehow managed to not see this film, as it's pretty much a different take on Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Not to mention how tedious it could have been to see a guy reliving the same day over and over again. Groundhog Day doesn't do that. In fact, we find ourselves watching a guy who's reliving the day and reacting to it differently each time, a guy who embraces his curse and has fun, livin' la vida loca, and that's what makes the story so much fun and interesting.

That and Bill Murray, of course. This film wouldn't have been the same without him. He brings to the cynical, glass-half-empty kind of guy he's playing so much charm and grace, and he makes the character's growth, although very predictable, believable. Having a character that doesn't go from asshole to saint in a second helped too. Murray also does a great delivering dramatic depth and comedy alike. 

Columbia Pictures

Andie MacDowell does a great job as well. She is so sweet and very likeable, it's easy to relate to her character and she everything she does or say feel so genuine, it adds credibility to the film. And her chemistry with Murray is wonderful which makes the romance quite charming.

Above I mentioned how simple the story is. Well, it manages to be a bit complex as well as it delivers a clichéd and yet powerful message. Groundhog Day is telling us to live each day to the fullest, to be aware of what we do and the consequences our actions have, and to treat people right. And it also says that life is worth nothing if you don't love and you are not loved back.

And yes, that's cheesy as hell, but who cares right, the film is so enjoyable and heartwarming!