As Absurd as the Holiday on which it is Based

About an hour ago, I saw coverage of Punxsutawney Phil's prediction for the fourth or fifth time today. I must admit to being rather perplexed each time February second rolls around and the country turns its eyes to a fat and bored-looking groundhog in a small town in Pennsylvania. How on Earth does a tradition like this get started? Nonetheless, it's fun, and it's good for a laugh.

Similarly, the Bill Murray movie which takes place in this town on this day is based on the absurd premise of a man being forced to relive the same day over and over. I suppose it's not too far removed from those time loops that the second crew of the Starship Enterprise kept finding themselves in, but this time it is only Murray's character, Phil, who relives the day. And he knows what's going on.

Phil is a jaded journalist sent to Punxsutawney to cover the February festivities. With him are his nervous cameraman and his producer, Rita (Andie MacDowell), with whom he quickly is smitten. Phil wants to get this assignment over with as quickly as possible, but it is not to be. When he falls into bed after a horrific holiday, he thinks his troubles are near an end. Little does he know they are only beginning...

What would you do if you awoke to discover that the clock had turned back and you were reliving the day you had just completed? What would you do if you continued to relive that day forever after? Phil is trapped in time, and while everyone around him is experiencing Groundhog Day for the first time, he is beginning to be able to predict what will happen at any given moment.

He milks his newfound time for all it can give him, learning all he can about the people who surround him so that he can feign acquaintance with them later. He picks up skills that he uses to impress Rita; in the end, most of his efforts are focused toward winning her love. When he feels that it is a hopeless cause, he decides to end his misery. But alas, death cannot stop Groundhog Day from coming to Phil yet again. He kills himself in dozens of different ways and still winds up in the same place he was before.

It takes an uncountable number of Groundhog Days for Phil to begin to understand why he may have been given this rare opportunity which he has seen as a curse. Phil must have the perfect day before he can move on with the rest of his life. No easy task, certainly, but when he finally manages it the transformation in his life and the lives of those around him is striking.

It's got a warm and fuzzy ending, but primarily Groundhog Day is a comedy propelled by the talent of Bill Murray, who has shone before in movies with similar themes and premises. It's silly, certainly, and not all of the humor is entirely appropriate for youngsters. And yes, at times it can be a bit monotonous. But for the most part, this is a hilarious movie with just enough feel-good to satisfy the whole family. It doesn't have to be Groundhog Day for you to enjoy this movie. Pick it up and I predict enough chuckles to warm up the coldest winter night.