A narcissistic, self-centered weatherman finds himself in a time loop on Groundhog Day.A narcissistic, self-centered weatherman finds himself in a time loop on Groundhog Day.A narcissistic, self-centered weatherman finds himself in a time loop on Groundhog Day.
- Won 1 BAFTA Award
- 7 wins & 17 nominations total
John M. Watson Sr.
- Bartender
- (as John Watson Sr.)
Summary
Reviewers say 'Groundhog Day' is celebrated for its unique plot and Bill Murray's exceptional performance, blending comedy with existential themes. The film explores self-discovery and the value of each day, with Andie MacDowell adding emotional depth. Critics appreciate its message about cherishing life, though some find the repetitive plot boring. The direction, screenplay, and supporting cast receive mixed reviews, with some deeming them lacking. Despite criticisms, 'Groundhog Day' is often regarded as a classic with enduring appeal.
Featured reviews
This is one warm, intelligent movie. It really lives to its reputation, which is overwhelmingly positive. A lot of substance, all understated, some laughs, respects its audience and delivers points cleverly. If you want to be encouraged and shown a positive perspective with almost no pandering, this is a movie to watch.
It's been 6 or even 7 years since I watched this masterpiece. Possibly, you would argue: 'Hey, if it is a excellent movie, what is Titanic, The Godfather and The Shawshank Redemption?" Well, if you are still not bored after a hundred views, it is perfect movie for you. And it holds for me. Easy, but important idea is the key of everything. This is love we all want in our lives.
And I should note pretty good acting of Bill Murray.
Often you hear the adage, "It is just a film". Well, for most times it is true. But on rarest of rare occasions, it isn't. This was one of them. Like a great piece literature, painting, poetry, speech it has the capacity to change the way you feel and think. It is the biggest compliment I can pay to a film. I rank Groundhog Day with Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, Waking Life, Synecdoche New York, Tokyo Story, Ikiru as one of the moves that has the capacity to change.
It is anything but a preachy film as the "intro" to the review might suggest. In fact it an extremely entertaining and funny film with one of the best performances ever by Bill Murray. The plot revolves around a weather man (Bill Murray) is reluctantly sent to cover a story about a weather forecasting "rat" (as he calls it). This is his fourth year on the story, and he makes no effort to hide his frustration. On awaking the 'following' day he discovers that it's Groundhog Day again, and again, and again. First he uses this to his advantage, then comes the realization that he is doomed to spend the rest of eternity in the same place, seeing the same people do the same thing every day.
The challenge here for the makers was in terms of screenplay, editing and performances. Bear in mind that, the "loops" Bill Murray's character goes through, might become redundant for the audience after a while. This is where the genius of Harold Ramis and Bill Murray comes into play, who seem to introduce a "novelty" factor with every shot of the same sequence. I couldn't think of any actor other than Murray who could have pulled this one off.
It is a movie likely to deceive you in its effortless narrative and casual comic tone. Yes, it is funny, but make no mistake about it, it is a film with a strong philosophical undertone. This is a quality that separates Groundhog from rest of the movies with similar intent. It tells you what it intends to on your terms. It deals with the questions that bother us for a better part of our lives i.e. meaning of life, purpose of life, existentialism, death, god but never preaches, nor propels any propaganda. But by the end of it, you know that something has changed, something you didn't see coming has happened. And then you watch it again only to realize the moment of Epiphany that eluded you the first time.
Every time I am down or losing perspective this is the movie that eases everything and makes me ask a simple question, "What is important?". One of the absolute great films of the 90s, but more than just a film for me.
It is anything but a preachy film as the "intro" to the review might suggest. In fact it an extremely entertaining and funny film with one of the best performances ever by Bill Murray. The plot revolves around a weather man (Bill Murray) is reluctantly sent to cover a story about a weather forecasting "rat" (as he calls it). This is his fourth year on the story, and he makes no effort to hide his frustration. On awaking the 'following' day he discovers that it's Groundhog Day again, and again, and again. First he uses this to his advantage, then comes the realization that he is doomed to spend the rest of eternity in the same place, seeing the same people do the same thing every day.
The challenge here for the makers was in terms of screenplay, editing and performances. Bear in mind that, the "loops" Bill Murray's character goes through, might become redundant for the audience after a while. This is where the genius of Harold Ramis and Bill Murray comes into play, who seem to introduce a "novelty" factor with every shot of the same sequence. I couldn't think of any actor other than Murray who could have pulled this one off.
It is a movie likely to deceive you in its effortless narrative and casual comic tone. Yes, it is funny, but make no mistake about it, it is a film with a strong philosophical undertone. This is a quality that separates Groundhog from rest of the movies with similar intent. It tells you what it intends to on your terms. It deals with the questions that bother us for a better part of our lives i.e. meaning of life, purpose of life, existentialism, death, god but never preaches, nor propels any propaganda. But by the end of it, you know that something has changed, something you didn't see coming has happened. And then you watch it again only to realize the moment of Epiphany that eluded you the first time.
Every time I am down or losing perspective this is the movie that eases everything and makes me ask a simple question, "What is important?". One of the absolute great films of the 90s, but more than just a film for me.
For all intents and purpose Bill Murray plays the role of the beast in a time looped reprisal of Beauty & the Beast. I fancy however, had the beast in the original tale had a potentially perpetual number of goes at winning the girl over and he had access to Rohypnol the story told would be anything but a fairy tale - fortunately that isn't the case here as Bill Murray is equipped with a veritable tool store of innovative, hilarious, wacky and inspiring methods to win the girl over. There are plenty of other valuable takeaways, not the least a caustic appraisal of the modern world and how it can affect us but let's not get too serious - few people have ever had the ability to pull stuff off like this and, for it to remain as entertaining and as fresh as the day it was released, makes Bill Murray one of those few people.
It's 2019 and I still watch this movie from time to time, feels like 6am all over again. I've seen a few copy-cat movies borrowing the same 'repeats' but it's just not the same or memorable.
The humor is charming and intelligent, great lines, characters and can even make you fall in love with the town. The scene with the old man always gets to me, you really feel for all the characters. I can watch this over and over.
The humor is charming and intelligent, great lines, characters and can even make you fall in love with the town. The scene with the old man always gets to me, you really feel for all the characters. I can watch this over and over.
Did you know
- TriviaBill Murray was bitten by the groundhog twice during shooting. Murray received a course of rabies vaccines, as a result.
- GoofsSunrise in early February in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is not until around 7:25 am, so at 6 am it would still be fully dark.
- Alternate versionsAMC and Sundance broadcasts in the US slow down the film's audio pitch and speed at 4%.
- ConnectionsEdited into Pushing Daisies: Corpsicle (2007)
- SoundtracksWeatherman
Written by George Fenton and Harold Ramis
Produced by George Fenton
Performed by Delbert McClinton
Courtesy of Curb Records
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Hechizo del tiempo
- Filming locations
- 344 Fremont St, Woodstock, Illinois, USA(Bed & Breakfast)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $14,600,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $71,107,962
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $12,517,672
- Feb 14, 1993
- Gross worldwide
- $71,108,778
- Runtime1 hour 41 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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