groundhog day (Groundhog Day (DVD))

Member Name: blissman70

Product:	Groundhog Day (DVD)
Date:	25/07/08 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great entertaining movie

Disadvantages: none really

Director: Harold Ramis
Producers: Trevor Albert and Harold Ramis
Writters: Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis.
Stars: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Brian Doyle-Murrey and Stephen Tobolowsky.

Released in early 1993 this comedy follows a weatherman's worst nightmare as he becomes trapped in one of the most boring days of his life.

**BRIEF PLOT**

It's February the 2nd Phil Connors, (played by Bill Murrey), an arrogant, selfish weatherman, is ordered to go Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the festival of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog who predicts the forthcoming weather.

He is woken by the radio alarm playing Sonny and Chers song 'I've got you babe', with the announcer stating it's 'groundhog day'

After covering the rather bizarre celebration he and his crew, Rita, (played by Andie MacDowell) and Larry the cameraman, (played by Chris Elliot), all become trapped in the town when a rather severe snow storm blocks the roads.

Things seem normal as the day ends trapped in Punxsutawney, Phil is his usual self-centred self, Rita taking great pleasure in telling Phil how much she despises him, Larry just being Larry.

The next morning Phil is woken up at 6 am, with Sonny and Cher's 'I've got you babe' blasting from the clock radio alarm, again.... The Djs stating that the day is February the 2nd and it's Groundhog day.

This is where the confusion starts for Phil as he seems to be trapped in a loophole, reliving the same day over and over again, but everyone else around him are adamant that groundhog day is then and has not passed.

As each day ends, each morning Phil is woken again by the same song and the same dj's stating 'it's groundhog day'...

With depression setting in and attempts of suicide failing he soon succumbs to the fact that he has to achieve a goal to escape the never ending groundhog day in Punxsutawney.

With the help of his memories of previous groundhog days still fresh in his mind he begins to try and achieve what he thinks is his conquest, making Rita fall in love with him.

**IN CONCLUSION**

Not a bad film at all.

Bill Murray is his usual brilliant self playing the part of the obnoxious character who cares only for himself, (albeit very similar to his character in a very famous ghostly movie from 1984???)

Andie MacDowel is simply her usual dynamically sexy self as the rather level headed and strong willed Rita, who makes it quite clear from the beginning that she detests Phil, (the weatherman not the groundhog)

Although the story sounds repetitive, with Phil being forced to replay one day for eternity, it is soon seen that even one repeated day can have many different results.

The simple way Phil finds out what Rita likes and uses his memory to impress her when he awakens the next morning, (the next day to him but the same 'groundhog day' to other??).


It has a well written storyline with some good comedy, a few thrills and a good dollop of romance.. What more do you want? .. The only thing that is missing is a good car chase with a crash at the end.

Although it is a little predictable it is still worth watching, just for the banter coming from Bill towards many of the other characters.
There is no real violence in this movie, apart from one small incident involving Phil and an insurance man), so this one can be viewed by all the family.

Would I recommend this....?
Yes.. Go for it.
It is a fine entertaining movie with enough slapstick comedy and romance to keep everyone entertained.

Summary: Living the worst day of your life...over and over again????