Details
Movie Description
Once again, for the fifth year in a row, TV weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is forced to cover the Groundhog Day ceremonies in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, an assignment he truly despises. But this year something truly bizarre happens after he finishes the report: When he wakes up the next morning, ready to leave, he discovers it's February 2 all over again. He tries to tell his producer, Rita (Andie MacDowell), what's happening, but neither she nor anyone else understands; only he remembers that they've already lived through Groundhog Day. When the same thing happens the next morning, he thinks he's going insane and wreaks havoc all through the town. More and more mornings pass, all of them February 2, and all of them with an ever angrier Phil. Desperate to escape, he even tries suicide, but still another February 2 dawns. As he starts realizing that his exploits are not making time march on any quicker, Phil begins to change his behavior, performing a series of lifesaving tasks until he becomes a model citizen, hoping it will be enough to get him out of Punxsutawney forever. Along the way he learns more about the people around him--and himself--than he ever thought possible. The film is extremely well put together by director Harold Ramis, and the script by Danny Rubin and Ramis is sharp and clever. The actors--many of whom have to perform essentially the same scene over and over again, with only subtle differences--are a riot.
Synopsis
Frank Capra meets Rod Serling in this high-concept comedy that thoroughly follows through on its premise. As a cynical weatherman, Phil Connors (Bill Murray) finds himself trapped by a blizzard he failed to predict and doomed to repeat the worst day of his life over and over again. At first he is horrified at the prospect of living forever in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, home of the groundhog, but eventually he must discover the key to moving his life forward.
Film Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
DTS 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Trailers
Audio Commentary - 1. Harold Ramis - Director
Featurette - 1. THE WEIGHT OF TIME
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection
Text/Photo Galleries:
Talent Files
Production Notes
GROUNDHOG DAY is number 34 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Funniest Movies.
Bill Murray got his start on the NBC television show Saturday Night Live. He was part of their second season, replacing fellow comedian Chevy Chase. His first film was MEATBALLS (1977).
The Groundhog was played by Scooter.
Murray appears here with his brother, Brian Doyle-Murray. Murray and director Harold Ramis have also worked together before, most notably on GHOSTBUSTERS, CADDYSHACK, and STRIPES.
Bill Murray had a very successful beginning to 1993, with two popular and critically well received films: GROUNDHOG DAY and MAD DOG AND GLORY, directed by John McNaughton, costarring Robert De Niro and Uma Thurman. Murray said about his role in GROUNDHOG DAY: "You know, it's nice knowing you're doing your job well. It makes you--well, it makes me, anyway--goofy."
Susie Stevens performed "Take Me Round Again," Frankie Yankovic performed "Pennsylvania Polka," and Terry Fryer wrote, produced and performed "Phil's Piano Solo." The song "La Bourree du Celibatoire" was also performed in the film.
"Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today."--Phil Connors (Bill Murray)
Industry Reviews
"...A particularly witty and resonant comedy....A perfect character for [Murray]..."
New York Times - p.C3 - Janet Maslin
"...A wickedly yummy smarm-alade..."
USA Today - p.8D - Susan Wloszczyna
"...[Elliott] steals the laughs whenever he's in the frame..." -- Rating: A-
Entertainment Weekly - p.59 - Chris Nashawaty (07/22/1994)
"...Murray's weatherman is tailor-made for his smug screen persona....Stephen Tobolowsky is hilarious..."
Variety - Richard Natale (02/08/1993)
"...The movie is lovable and sweet..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (02/12/1993)
"...This remains one of the most adventurous studio films of its era..."
Sight and Sound - Geoffrey Macnab (05/01/2002)
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