The ability to repeat a day might seem like it would be a dream, but for Phil Connors (Bill Murray) it is a nightmare. Every year on Feb. 2, in Punxsutawney P.A, a Groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow. If he sees his shadow then spring will arrive early, and if not, winter will continue for six more weeks. “Groundhog Day” was released in 1993 and had a cumulative worldwide gross of $105 million.
“Groundhog Day” is a story of resilience, acceptance and redemption. This is shown throughout the movie as Connors with his team follows the Groundhog Day celebrations for the town of Punxsutawney. His team consists of Larry (Chris Elliot), who is in charge of capturing these events as they unfold and producer Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell).
On Feb. 1, Connors addresses his viewers that an approaching blizzard will miss western Pennsylvania. The next day, Connors is seen sleeping in the Cherry Street Inn and wakes up to “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher. He starts his news broadcast that morning with a lackluster coverage of the town’s Groundhog Day celebration. Where it is evident that he is dissatisfied with the town and the holiday in general. After his coverage of the event, Connors and his team try to find a way out of Punxsutawney. However, the blizzard that he predicted to miss actually hit the town leaving them stranded.
The next morning, on what is assumed to be Feb. 3, Connors wakes up to “I Got You Babe” once again playing over the radio. Afterwards, the radio hosts reveal his worst fear with just one phrase; “It’s Groundhog Day!” The day goes exactly the same, making Connors believe he is facing deja vu.
Throughout the movie, Connors is stuck reliving the same day over and over again despite multiple attempts to get out of it. He spends a large amount of the time in the beginning of the time loop indulging himself in eating, one night stands, robberies and other reckless activities. He spends this time doing these activities and abandons his job. He also tries to use his newfound ability to gain knowledge to try and win over Hanson, who repeatedly rejects his advances.
After several days of the monotonous loop, he confides in his producer Hanson that he is in a time loop. Hanson then encourages Connors to view the time loop as a gift and not as a curse. Because of his newly found inspiration, Connors begins to use the loop for good. He learns to sculpt ice, play piano, speak french, learn more about Hanson and save people from both misfortunes and deaths.
However, he is unable to save a homeless man (Les Poldwell) that he encounters repeatedly. No matter what Connors does in an attempt to prevent it, the homeless man ends up dying each time. During their first interaction , Connors didn’t give money nor attention to him at all. But later on in the film, he tries various approaches to save his life: giving money to him, taking him to the hospital and treating him to a hot meal. But his actions are in vain, as the old man repeatedly dies of natural causes.
It is only when Connors accepts that he is unable to save this man that he begins to accept his own humanity. He begins to work on improving himself (and thereby, the town) by changing things he can control, such as learning to play an instrument or even being kind and helpful to others.
Because he is forced to re-experience the same day, he gains the freedom to live in the moment. He doesn’t need to worry about mistakes, because no one will remember the day except for him. The time loop causes Conners to learn how to accept where he is at both in his work and his personal life.
It is only when Connors actually takes his job seriously, delivering an enthusiastic report on Groundhog Day, that Hanson is finally amazed. He continues his day as he helps people around town at night. That same day, Hanson sees Connors playing the piano as the townsfolk surround him and share the stories of how helpful he has been today. It is clear that he has many friends and is a role model to others.
Hanson, impressed by his good deeds throughout the day, successfully bids on Connors at a charity bachelor auction later that night. Using ice sculpting, one of the new skills that he learned during the time loop, he created a remarkably detailed sculpture of Hanson. The next morning, Connors wakes up to “I Got You Babe” and finds Hanson lying in the bed with him. The radio banter has changed; it is now Feb. 3. He tells Hanson that he wants to live in Punxsutawney with her.
In 2006, “Groundhog Day” was honored with being preserved into the Library of Congress’s National Film registry. In addition to its critical success it has also left an impact on audiences worldwide as the term Groundhog Day is synonymous with the holiday. But also entered the everyday lexicon with the meaning of an overall unpleasant and repetitive situation. Many movies have been inspired by “Groundhog Day”, “Palm Springs”, “Happy Death Day”, “Edge of Tomorrow” and “The Map of Tiny Perfect Things” all use the idea of a time loop to drive their plot.
As the movie ends, it is no longer Groundhog Day. The audience doesn’t see what happens to Connors at this moment, but one thing is clear. Instead of cringing at the words “It’s Groundhog Day” again, Connors is finally ready to embrace the future and move forward with his life.
