Genre:
Comedy, Fantasy
Release Date:
February 125, 1993
Duration:
101 minutes
Plot:
Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is a successful weatherman on TV. But he is not successful in life and nobody likes him, not even… his shadow. Punxsutawney Phil is a… Groundhog! A small rodent that locals in Punxsutawney of Pensylvania, believe it can predict the weather. If the cute little animal, on the “ceremony” that takes place on February 2nd, comes out of its nest and see its shadow, then the winter will continue for more weeks. If Phil the Groundhog do not see its shadow, then spring will come early.
Obviously for Phil Connors all these are crap and when he learns he will have to go, for fourth year in the row, to cover Groundhog Day he is furious. Willy-nilly, Phil travels with Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell) his producer and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliott) to Punxsutawney. February 2nd: Groundhog Day. Phil wakes up and the alarm clock radio plays “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher. He gives his report for Groundhog Day, offends his colleagues and prepares to leave as soon as possible, before they catch bad weather. But the blizzard is already there and the roads are blocked with cars stuck in snowy roads. What Phil does not know, is that he is stuck in Groundhog Day. He will live this day time an again, like there is no tomorrow. Every morning he wakes up with “I Got You Babe”, every day the Groundhog predicts the weather etc. Maybe he is doing something wrong?
Our impressions and movie review:
If you knew what happens next, what would you change? Would you do the same again? Would you try to gain something of it? Would you cherish the moment? Exploit situations? Try to help other people? Try to become better?
We cannot say that the protagonist of this film was a good man. And certainly he was not a good “student”. Because he lived the same day over and over, until he could make some sense of it. And then again till he knows better! We, the viewers, have the advantage that we can laugh at his sufferings and his mistakes. But maybe we should try a bit to learn from his mistakes, since we do not have the chance to relive our lives, or a small part of our life, to correct our mistakes.
Screenwriter Danny Rubin and director Harold Ramis are in the best moment of their career. Bill Murray and Andie MacDowel are amazing in the leading roles, and the rest actors give very good perfomances as well, whether it is for a few minutes, or for a scene that, with some minor changes, is repeated several times. And then, towards the end of the movie, when the meteorogist goes one step ahead as a better person, the comedy gives way to romance and love.
Groundhog Day is one of our favorite movies and we believe this is among the best films of all time. See this movie! And if you have seen it before… see it again!
Groundhog Day – Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh7bAaJqvAg
Movie Quote from Groundhog Day
[“I Got You Babe” on the alarm clock radio]
D.J. #1: Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s cooooold out there today.
D.J. #2: It’s coooold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach?
D.J. #1: Not hardly. And you know, you can expect hazardous travel later today with that, you know, that, uh, that blizzard thing.
D.J. #2: [mockingly] That blizzard – thing. That blizzard – thing. Oh, well, here’s the report! The National Weather Service is calling for a “big blizzard thing!”
D.J. #1: Yessss, they are. But you know, there’s another reason why today is especially exciting.
D.J. #2: Especially cold!
D.J. #1: Especially cold, okay, but the big question on everybody’s lips…
D.J. #2: On their chapped lips…
D.J. #1: On their chapped lips, right: Do ya think Phil is gonna come out and see his shadow?
D.J. #2: Punxsutawney Phil!
D.J. #1: That’s right, woodchuck-chuckers – it’s…
D.J. #1 and D.J. #2 together: GROUNDHOG DAY!
Movie Quote from Groundhog Day
Rita: Do you every have déjà vu?
Phil: Didn’t you just ask me that?
Movie Quote from Groundhog Day
Phil: Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today.
Movie Quote from Groundhog Day
[Phil talking to the Traffic Police after driving like a nutcase]
Phil: Yeah, three cheeseburgers, two large fries, two chocolate shakes and one large coke.
Ralph: And some flapjacks.
Phil: Too early for flapjacks?
Movie Quote from Groundhog Day
Phil: I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster, drank piña coladas. At sunset, we made love like sea otters. That was a pretty good day. Why couldn’t I get that day over, and over, and over…
Movie Quote from Groundhog Day
Ned: Am I right or am I right? Or am I right? Am I right?
Movie Quote from Groundhog Day
[Driving down the railroad tracks ]
Phil: It’s the same thing your whole life: “Clean up your room. Stand up straight. Pick up your feet. Take it like a man. Be nice to your sister. Don’t mix beer and wine, ever.” Oh yeah: “Don’t drive on the railroad track.”
Gus: Well, Phil, that’s one I happen to agree with.
[Driving towards an approaching train]
Phil: I’m betting he’s going to swerve first.
Credits:
Writers:
Danny Rubin, Harold Ramis
Director:
Harold Ramis
Cast:
Bill Murray – Phil Connors
Andie MacDowell – Rita Hanson
Chris Elliott – Larry
Stephen Tobolowsky – Ned Ryerson
Brian Doyle-Murray – Buster Green
Marita Geraghty – Nancy Taylor
Angela Paton – Mrs. Lancaster
Rick Ducommun – Gus
Rick Overton – Ralph
Robin Duke – Doris the Waitress
Carol Bivins – Anchorwoman
Willie Garson – Phil’s Assistant Kenny
Ken Hudson Campbell – Man in Hallway
Les Podewell – Old Man
Rod Sell – Groundhog Official
Tom Milanovich – State Trooper
John M. Watson Sr. – Bartender
Peggy Roeder – Piano Teacher
Harold Ramis – Neurologist
David Pasquesi – Psychiatrist
Lee R. Sellars – Cop
Chet Dubowski – Bank Guard Felix
C.O. Erickson – Bank Guard Herman
Sandy Maschmeyer – Phil’s Movie Date
Leighanne O’Neil – Fan on Street
Evangeline Binkley – Jeopardy! Viewer
Samuel Mages – Jeopardy! Viewer
Ben Zwick – Jeopardy! Viewer
Hynden Walch – Debbie
Michael Shannon – Fred
Timothy Hendrickson – Waiter Bill
Martha Webster – Waitress Alice
Angela Gollan – Piano Student
Shaun Chaiyabhat – Boy in Tree
Dianne B. Shaw – E.R. Nurse
Barbara Ann Grimes – Flat Tire Lady
Ann Heekin – Flat Tire Lady
Lucina Paquet – Flat Tire Lady
Brenda Pickleman – Buster’s Wife
Amy Murdoch – Buster’s Daughter
Eric Saiet – Buster’s Son
Lindsay Albert – Woman with Cigarette
Roger Adler – Guitar Player
Ben A. Fish – Bass Player
Don Riozz McNichols – Drum Player
Brian Willig – Saxophone Player
Richard Henzel – D.J. (voice)
Rob Riley – D.J. (voice)
Scooter – The Groundhog
Production Companies and Distributors:
Columbia Pictures
Columbia TriStar Films
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment