Groundhog Day (1993)

I don't know why I thought that of all films in history that I haven't seen, a mediocre 90s comedy was necessary for the expansion of my filmic knowledge. Maybe it's because of my affinity for Bill Murray, or possibly because I felt left out of experiencing this bit of popular culture. Either way, I felt I had a strange obligation to watch this film.

"I enjoyed it so easily that I was seduced into cheerful moderation. But there are a few films, and this is one of them, that burrow into our memories and become reference points. When you find yourself needing the phrase This is like "Groundhog Day" to explain how you feel, a movie has accomplished something, (Roger Ebert)."

Phil Collins, played by Murray, is an arrogant weatherman who discovers he is living the same day over and over. Though this is not thought to be a very deep film, I tried to delve into it as much as possible to find more meaning beyond a 90s rom-com. Surprisingly, the film does ask some important questions. What if there were no consequences for our actions? This film operates as a social commentary on the repetition we experience in life: "Clean up your room, be nice to your sister. It's the same thing your whole life. I'm not going to live by their rules anymore." When he finds out that he is trapped in a time loop, Murray's character becomes sexually irresponsible, lawfully negligent, and suicidal. It reveals a clever and comedic take on the stereotypical man's fantasy to have no consequences for his actions (which is why I believe this film is so celebrated amongst blockbuster comedies).

Murray's character is tragic, as we see his unending failed attempts to escape this reoccurring day, and furthermore, his sad life. He must learn his lesson to be self-less, helpful, loving and kind to others. "A long article in the British newspaper the Independent says Groundhog Day is 'hailed by religious leaders as the most spiritual film of all time.' Perhaps not all religious leaders have seen anything by Bergman, Bresson, Ozu and Dreyer, but never mind: They have a point, even about a film where the deepest theological observation is, 'Maybe God has just been around a long time and knows everything," (Roger Ebert).

By finally experiencing this film, I do find it unique enough to stick in my memory. However, I do not know if my observations coincide with the religious leaders by deeming it the most spiritual film of all time. Its legacy does fascinate me though: "In 2006, the film was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."(Library of Congress).

A tale as old as time, maybe, but if Bill Murray is telling that tale, count me in.