Groundhog Day, directed by Harold Ramis, appeared on movie screens around the world in 1993. The film was warmly received by critics and spectators, and over the past 20 years it has already, without a doubt, become a cult. Undoubtedly, one of those films that people who are not particularly knowledgeable in cinema will always recommend watching you is Groundhog Day. Actors (starring the inimitable Bill Murray) and an exciting story in which a deeply dramatic story is skillfully complemented by really funny humor are the main reasons for the success of the film.
In the small town of Panksatoni,
PA, Groundhog Day is celebrated annually. Phil Connors is a television commentator, and each time he comes to the city to cover the events of the holiday. He did the same this year. Phil is generally not a very cheerful person, but on this day his mood was especially bad. Everything is not set from the very beginning, and the culmination of events becomes a blizzard, because of which the film crew cannot get out of the city.
When Phil wakes up the next morning, he still does not know that today is February 2, and during the day all the same events will begin to happen as yesterday. So it will be tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and it seems that Groundhog Day will now last forever. Memories of what is happening these days remain only with Phil - all the other characters simply survive the same date again and again. The protagonist decides to take advantage of the situation and tries to flirt with his colleague, Rita (played by Andy MacDowell), learning more and more about her every day. However, efforts remain unsuccessful.
You should not retell the plot further, but it is important to note that during the film, incredible metamorphoses occur with the character and worldview of Phil. In the ten years that Groundhog Day has stretched over, he has learned kindness, openness, love and, most importantly - to be yourself. Some people think that the film is about this - life only becomes real, and every day - unique and not exactly copying the previous one, when you will be sincere and get rid of falsehood and lies.
Other critics say that eternity and immutability reigned in the world of motion pictures is nothing but death itself. All events that occur with the heroes of the film during the day are erased from reality, life turns into non-existence. At first, Phil is trying to create the appearance of life, deciding that now you can do anything. Realizing in the end his helplessness, he becomes depressed and unsuccessfully tries to die physically. And finally, after a lot of time, the main character comes to what was mentioned above - to real life, breaking this endless circle with Rita, to whom he begins to experience true love.
The reason for the popularity of Groundhog Day is not even the philosophical implication of the plot, especially since not all viewers think about it. Rather, clearly visible ideas about eternal values - love, kindness and humanity, presented in a beautiful and high-quality shell, find their way to the heart of any person who watched this movie. And the plot can be interpreted in detail in completely different ways.