Top 100 Movies Groundhog Day. A bit ago, I started going through this list of movies, one by one. I figured I could stand to learn a thing or two about “good movies” from Hollywood’s perspective as I’ve been something of an outsider in the world of film. I have not been keeping track, but I believe that this is movie number 37 in our list of one hundred films? Something like that anyway. And, for some of you, I’m betting this will possibly be your favorite movie in the list. Lord knows it’s definitely in the bailiwick that is THiNC.-ish type crazy movies we love to dissect. And yet, I have actively avoided talking about Groundhog Day. I’ve always alluded to it for its importance. But at the end of the day, there are other loop movies that I enjoy more… (Arq, Triangle, A Day, Russian Doll, The Endless, Time Lapse… you get the idea. If you want to see all the looping movies we’ve discussed here at THiNC. you can find them right here.)
Groundhog Day Walkthrough
“Groundhog Day” is a 1993 comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. The film tells the story of a self-centered TV weatherman named Phil Connors who is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. After experiencing a strange time loop, Phil finds himself reliving the same day over and over again until he learns to become a better person.
Groundhog Day – Act I:
Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is a weatherman for a local news station in Pittsburgh. He is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, along with his producer, Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell), and cameraman, Larry (Chris Elliott). Phil is annoyed at having to cover such a small and seemingly unimportant event, and he is dismissive of the people of Punxsutawney.
After the festival, a blizzard hits the town, and the crew is forced to spend the night. The next morning, Phil wakes up to find that it is still February 2nd and that he is reliving the same day over and over again. He is the only one who seems to be aware of the time loop, and he becomes increasingly frustrated and despondent as he is unable to break free from it.
Groundhog Day – Act II:
Phil tries everything he can think of to break the cycle, including committing suicide multiple times, but he always wakes up on February 2nd again. As he becomes more and more desperate, he starts to use his knowledge of the repeating day to his advantage. He starts to manipulate people and situations, knowing that there are no consequences since everything will reset the next day.
Phil spends an unknown amount of time reliving the same day, possibly years, and he eventually becomes jaded and cynical. He uses his time to learn new skills and take advantage of the people in the town, but he ultimately realizes that this is not a fulfilling way to live.
Groundhog Day – Act III:
Phil starts to use his time to become a better person, helping people in the town and trying to win the affection of Rita, whom he has developed feelings for. He also starts to appreciate the simple joys of life, like playing the piano and ice sculpting.
After many attempts, Phil finally succeeds in winning Rita’s heart, but even that is not enough to break the time loop. It is only when he learns to be a truly selfless and caring person that he is able to wake up on February 3rd and move on with his life.
Groundhog Day – Epilogue:
The next day, Phil wakes up to find that he has moved on from the time loop and is now living in a new reality. He has become a better person and has a newfound appreciation for life. He and Rita start a new life together, and Phil continues to be a kind and caring person, no longer the self-centered jerk he was at the beginning of the film. The movie ends with Phil and Rita driving away from Punxsutawney, ready to start their new life together.
Thoughts on the Film Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a grand daddy of the film loop community. Almost all loop movies owe a debt to this film. Personally, this isn’t my favorite loop movie by a long shot. It’s actually one of my least favorite. Why? Because it cements the idea that a loop flick can only be about one thing, and that is character betterment. Which, is fine enough. And it is undoubtedly cute. (Minus the fact that Andie McDowell can’t act her way out of a paper bag.) The formula is simple… hero is a jerk. Hero realizes he has to manipulate his experience. Hero realizes he has to desire change internally. Hero changes… hero falls in love and escapes the trap created by his own personal selfishness. You did realize that was happening, right? Please tell me you realized that was the pattern. And that is fine. But that’s like saying the Rocky pattern is the pattern that has to be held to by all sports movies. It is one way to do a sports movie, but it isn’t the only way.
If you’d like to learn more about the diverse world of the possibilities that can happen in a looping flick – maybe check out Arq, Triangle, heck, I did a post listing out the 15 best looping movies… check that out instead of me listing them here!
Edited by: CY
