Thursday, February 2, 2012

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is my husband's favorite movie.  He loves it.  I mean, who doesn't.  Bill Murray is superb as Phil Connors, the egotistic weatherman.  I love his strong Chicago accent.  It's such a comforting sound for me.  And, Bill Murray is hilarious.  There are so many funny lines and so many funny situations.  I love the segment of Phil going out drinking with the two drunks.
Phil: You wanna throw up here, or you wanna throw up in the car?
Ralph: I think... both.
Then there is a police chase culminating with an escape route on the railroad tracks with a train coming towards them.
Phil: I'm betting he's going to swerve first.

The movie's theme is one of transformation. The transformation of Phil from an self-centered person with nothing but loathing for his co-workers and the Punxatawneyans to an empathetic soul falling in love with his co-worker and settling in Punxatawney, PA.  The meat of the movie is set in the premise of Phil being "stuck" in February 2nd, Groundhog Day.

Initially he is incredulous.
Phil Connors: Excuse me, where is everybody going?
Fan on Street: To Gobbler's Knob. It's Groundhog Day.
Phil Connors: It's still just once a year, isn't it?

Then he becomes the embodiment of gluttony while facing a future of "no consequences."  He eats everything on the menu in the diner.  Then he becomes self-destructive.  He tries to kill himself in many different ways.  When this doesn't produce the escape he craves (Phil: I have been stabbed, shot, poisoned, frozen, hung, electrocuted, and burned. Rita: Oh, really? Phil: ...and every morning I wake up without a scratch on me, not a dent in the fender... I am an immortal.) he becomes generous.  He changes a tire for a couple elderly ladies.  He catches a boy falling from a tree.  He does his job with excellence.  Sadly, he embraces his predicament and makes the best of it.  But then he is confronted with mortality.  Not his, but an elderly vagrant.  He cannot prevent this man's death.  "It was his time."  After accepting the death of the vagrant, Phil not only accepts his circumstances, but embraces them.  He takes piano lessons.
Piano Teacher: Not bad... Mr. Connors, you say this is your first lesson?
Phil: Yes, but my father was a piano *mover*, so...
He helps a young couple have the honeymoon of their dreams.  He embraces his annoying insurance salesman, Ned Ryerson, BING!  In the end, he becomes the town hero.  And, he gets the girl.

I am looking forward to watching Groundhog Day when I get home from work.  I hope you get an opportunity to watch it again, too.  If you've never seen it, please do.  It's a classic.

The entire movie is uploaded to YouTube here.

11 comments:

  1. What did the groundhog say, today, anyhow? Want to meet me at the zoo, tomorrow?

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  2. The groundhog saw his shadow.  There will be 6 more weeks of winter.  However, with a winter like this one, ...I'll take it.  I'm sorry, I cannot play hookie tomorrow.  I think you will enjoy a lovely day.  If you ever want to drive a bit further south, we have a lovely Naval Air museum down here.  I believe they have 2 simulators, as well.  Have fun.

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  3. I never stopped to think about that movie that much! Great insight!

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  4. it is a very funny movie with a great message as well...you gleened a lot of the wisdom from it for us...i need to go watch it again myself...

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  5.  It came out in 1993 and it is my husband's favorite.  I've seen it a few times.  (like 50 times.  ala groundhog day.)  :)

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  6. I like that movie, too.  :)

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  7. I like Bill Murray! I think I like most movies with Bill Murray in it.

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  8. I am cracking up! That movie is hilarious. It's the same thing over and over. I thought about that this morning and said, "please Lord don't let this day happen over and over." LOL

    Thanks for hoping by.

    http://positivelyalene.blogspot.com/

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  9. I'm a big fan of any of the old movies that have Chevy Chase, John Candy, Steve Martin, etc.  John Candy is my absolute favorite.  I have all his  movies.  :)

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  10. That's such a great movie!  I haven't seen it in years.

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  11. I too wrote about the movie on Groundhog day--such a classic film

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