Groundhog Day

Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is a grouch, a TV weatherman who doesn’t much like other people – or himself for that matter. He especially doesn’t like having to drive out to the hick town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania every year to gauge whether a rodent sees his own shadow. Surely, this is not what he was put here for?

Then something changes. Or rather, the opposite: Phil wakes up to the exact same day, again, and again, and again. At first, he’s freaked. Then he sees opportunities. He can hone his chat up lines. Enjoy the time of his life. But even that palls after a while, and eventually the misanthrope begins to show an interest in everybody else. His new-found generosity doesn’t immediately free him from purgatory, but transforms it into a kind of paradise.
A cynic like Phil might think the only honest ending for this movie would be insanity – Sonny and Cher every morning could send anyone over the edge. But this philosophical wake-up call of a comedy has other ideas, more hopeful, but equally valid. Even though the story works on endless repetition, the film stands up to repeat viewings, not least for Murray’s consummate performance.

This perennial classic is part of our monthly Premium Pick series, in which VIFF Premium members nominate a favourite film to share with our audience. This title was suggested by Devon Kular.

Devon Kular says, “I’ve started watching Groundhog Day annually and thought there would be no better place to share the inspiration I take from this film than with my fellow film lovers at VIFF. Groundhog Day is joyful and inspires me to act my kindest. It’s inspiring to see someone’s identity change for the better in real time, as it shows how much work it takes to make radical changes to your identity. The selflessness of Phil’s character is what draws me in on each rewatch. Groundhog Day is a rewatchable masterpiece, that I could watch every single day…”

Staff Pick: Alan, Emma, Jason D & Yanan

A hilarious and unexpectedly profound comedy.

Scott Tobias, AV Club

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