Bill Murray plays TV Weatherman Phil Connors in this hit Comedy about reliving the same day over and over again.
~Storyline~
The film opens with Connors being awakened at 6am to his clock radio with the presebter announcing that it's February 2nd and Groundhog Day!
Connor is staying in a guesthouse at Gobbler's Knob with the aim of providing coverage for his Television station of a traditional ceremony in which the groundhog is used to predict when winter is going to be over. Connors understandably isn't exactly thrilled at this prospect and just wants to go home and goes to bed that night with that thought in mind.
Unfortunately for Connors however, on awakening he is not greeted with the 3rd but instead it is six 'o' clock on the second and the radio...is playing the same broadcast. At first disbelieving Connors come to realise that he is re-living the same day. Then it happens again and again. To begin with Connors uses this to his advantage, he discovers he can learn things about women and then use it to portray himself in a better light and hence get them into bed.
He eats like here is no tomorrow as indeed for him, there is not but getting no satisfaction from such hollow pursuits and constant failure to get his producer Rita (played by Andie MacDowell) he attempts to take his life in a variety of ways each more violent than the next.
Alas for Connors he cannot electrocute himself or drive off a cliff without awakening again and again at six 'o' clock just as normal.
Connors begins to further himself in an attempt to win Rita, he sculpts ice and plays classical music and eventually through maturity, honesty and genuine humnanity he wins the hand of his love.
Offering to spend the night with him (completely innocently) to see whether the day repeats again or not. Of Course it does not and it is clear that he has done what was required of him, he has gained heart soul and respect for life.
~Cast~
Murray is fantastic as the womanising rogue at the beginning and touching as the desperate suicidal victim as time progresses. Overall though he is convincing in his role and is a great choice as Connors.
MacDowell is perfectly adequate as the producer but realisticallt the script is written around connors and everything else is just dressing. She plays the role well but as it is directed she could have been played by anyone.
~Direction~
Harold Ramis (Egon out of Ghostbusters) mangages to keep this film interesting and fun, which is very impressive given the circumstances. Because of the repetitive nature of this film it was only going to go one of two ways and Ramis' skill has ensured all the lines point up.
~Overall~
This is a fantastic film that I thoroughly enjoyed and have done so on several occasions. Best of all this is a family film that everyone can enjoy together so I recommend it strongly!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Christopher Ettridge, Victor McGuire, Emma Amos, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Elizabeth Carling
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
An outline of the story more than a review. I'm more interested in hearing what you thought to the film and about the aspects of it rather than just reading what it is about.
Decent, lighthearted and fully amusing slapstick is hard to come by these days, and ... more
1993'sGroundhog Daymanages to also be genuinely wise about the human condition. All this and belly laughs too! Bill Murray stars as Phil, a bored, petulant news reporte...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Decent, lighthearted and fully amusing slapstick is hard to come by these days, and ... more
1993'sGroundhog Daymanages to also be genuinely wise about the human condition. All this and belly laughs too! Bill Murray stars as Phil, a bored, petulant news reporte...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Decent, lighthearted and fully amusing slapstick is hard to come by these days, and ... more
1993'sGroundhog Daymanages to also be genuinely wise about the human condition. All this and belly laughs too! Bill Murray stars as Phil, a bored, petulant news reporte...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
![Groundhog Day [DVD] [1993]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78551473.jpg "Groundhog Day [DVD] [1993]")
![Groundhog Day (Collector's Edition) [DVD] [1993]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78545717.jpg "Groundhog Day (Collector's Edition) [DVD] [1993]")
Aug 25th, 2001
very helpful by (94%):
helpful by (2%):
somewhat helpful by (4%):
