Filmbezoek Groundhog Day 23 October

The story is based on a tradition in Punxsutawney, a small town in Pennsylvania. Every year on February 2 there is a major celebration when the groundhog, a sort of marmot, comes out from his hibernation, sign for the beginning of spring.

In the film we see Phil Connors, a cynical TV meteorologist, whose annual duty it is to cover the Groundhog Day event, which he loathes very much. Due to an unexpected blizzard he, his producer Rita and the cameraman are obliged to stay the night over in town. When Phil awakes the next morning at 6.00 a.m. in his hotel room, he hears on the radio the same voices and music as the day before ! It is February 2 again and (only to him) the whole day unfolds in exactly the same way.

So do all the following days, he seems to be trapped in time, and feels doomed to live the same day forever. After some confusing days he begins to enjoy his situation. Through a lot if hilarious scenes we see him doing all sorts of “forbidden things”, because he realises that whatever he does is always undone the next morning. Every day he also tries to win Rita’s heart, but without success.

But gradually things are changing. Because he remembers all the “previous” days, he begins to take an interest in the people around him. From being an arrogant and selfish man he turns to use his knowledge of events to come in a positive way. He tries to be helpful and can even prevent some incidents. He becomes aware that his concern for others makes him a better person. When he opens his hart to Rita, he finally succeeds in showing his true love for her and the next day the spell is broken, it is February 3! They decide to stay in Punxsutawney and live there happily together.

The film, brought out in 1993, is a mix of comedy and fairy tale in a romantic setting of a snowy town. It is a pleasant film, well played and touching, never overdone. Bill Murray, in the role of Phil, gave one of his best performances and was highly praised for it. As a consequence of the film, there is now a saying in America:” to have a Groundhog Day” meaning that every day seems to be the same.

Auteur: Helma Vandeweerdt conversation class English (Nele Geurden)