Movie: Groundhog Day
Year: 1993
Genre: Comedy/Fantasy
Director: Harold Ramis
Stars: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliott

Snapshot of Story:
A weatherman from a popular US TV channel finds himself in a town where he relives the same day again and again with interesting consequences.

Storyline:
Groundhog Day is an unusual movie not coming from the same classes of mainstream movies but has a very charming feel to it. Bill Murray comical in every way gives a superb performance to an often melancholy movie that stirs up tangible emotions and feelings in all of us.
Phil (Bill Murray) the weatherman is assigned to a location where he needs to report on the cold freeze much to his dislike. The town is celebrating the ‘Groundhog Day’ and he covers up his frustration as much as he can with sly comments and remarks towards his tv crew. When he retires for bed that evening, he goes through the whole of the next day in the usual manner and as he wakes up for the following day, he finds that day has been repeated. In essence, all the other town folks are experiencing a new day but for Phil he is experiencing the same day. This happens day by day with interesting consequences.
The repeated daily incidents allows for interesting developments from the part of Phil who sees the same day again and again. This development of the movie has been well portrayed with much creativity and humor and has made this movie a big hit of it’s time.
For example, since he already knows the incident about to occur, Phil takes quick action much to the amazement of the other town folks. What is interesting in this movie is that he takes the opportunity to improve his own self by understanding the nature of people since he has nothing better to do. He learns the piano and explores other people’s personalities by doing something different each day. This shapes Phil’s character as he is able to see beyond the facade of people and digs deep into their inner lives.
During one night he finds that the life has resumed as usual and he is no longer living the same day. Much to the amazement of his tv crew they are astonished to find a new ‘Phil’ with the change of personality and heart.

Final Thoughts:
The movie is based on an original script by screenwriter Danny Rubin who is to be credited for writing such a wonderful, creative and clever script that blends all the elements of character, humor and intrigue in one. Bill Murray was the perfect choice for this role with his uncaring and frivolous attitude to life and the change we all witness as he goes through each Groundhog Day.

Rating:
8.5/10