- What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today.
- That's the high concept at the heart of Groundhog Day, and boy does the film get a lot of mileage out of it. Very few movies succeed at being alternately philosophical, humorous, and romantic, but this one somehow does it all. While the film's writing is occasionally brilliant, it is ultimately Bill Murray's career-defining performance as TV meteorologist Phil Connors that makes it work. When we first meet him, Connors is the colleague with whom no one would want to share an office. He exudes hazardous levels of sardonicism and yet refers to himself as "the talent" without a hint of irony. Although his dutiful producer, Rita (Andie MacDowell), is adept at reigning in Connors' acerbic personality, their upcoming road trip to the annual Groundhog Festival in quaint Punxsutawney, PA means that she'll have to tolerate the weatherman's blustering ego for an entire day.
- Actually, Rita will have to tolerate Connors for more than just one day. After the news team covers the charming hoopla associated with the emergence of groundhog celebrity "Punxsutawney Phil", a snowstorm forces Connors to reevaluate his "100 percent chance" of departure. But this is no regular snow-day. For reasons that are mercifully never fully explained, Connors is forced to relive Groundhog Day over and over again. Every morning begins with Sonny & Cher on the clock radio and the wacky morning DJs crowing that "it's cooooold out there today!" More often than not, the perpetually annoying insurance salesman Ned Ryerson (Stephen Tobolowsky) ambushes Connors en route to an eerily familiar festival. The same puddles collect in the street each morning to be avoided (or not), and Punxsutawney Phil always sees his shadow. Connors, however, has every reason to expect more than six additional weeks of winter. His own bleak prediction? "It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be grey, and it's gonna last you for the rest of your life."
- Now, you might think that watching the same day over and over again would quickly grow stale, but nothing could be further from the truth. Connors' various reactions to his predicament are the essence of the film, and they are immensely creative. Initially, he is understandably worried that nobody else seems to have noticed that time has gotten stuck. Gradually, however, he realizes that his apparent lack of a future grants him a certain amount of liberty in the present. At times, he selfishly uses this freedom to great comedic effect, eating an entire table's worth of diner food, driving on railroad tracks, and using his unique method of reconnaissance to pick up local women. What makes Groundhog Day great, however, is that it occasionally ventures into some surprising places. In a few disturbing instances, Connors chooses novel methods of self destruction, only to have Sonny & Cher wake him up the next morning. He also begins a humorously creepy attempt to seduce Rita by iterating through dates until he has created the perfect evening. Despite its many variations, Groundhog Day just keeps coming back.
- Although the solution to Connors' problem predictably involves him becoming less of a jerk, I must admit that the resolution is much more creative and romantic than expected. As Connors slowly begins using his apparent infinity of time both to better himself and to be nicer to other people, he really does transform into a much more likable character. This is where Bill Murray shines the most, in my opinion. Very few actors can deliver sincere and insincere with equal skill, and very few movies would require both attitudes in abundance. With its great lead actor, wonderful writing, and remarkable cast of supporting character actors (including Chris Elliott and Brian Doyle-Murray), Groundhog Day easily ranks among the best romantic comedies ever made. You'll want to watch it again and again and again.
- I didn't mention it, but this was directed by Harold Ramis. Yes, Egon.
- Best line: "They used to pull the hog out, and they used to eat it!"
