Groundhog Day

Directed by Harold Ramis, Groundhog Day follows weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) as he finds himself forced to live through the eponymous day over and over again. There’s little doubt that Groundhog Day benefits a great deal from Murray’s appealing turn as the central character, as the actor’s sarcastic, sardonic presence often elevates even the most minor of sequences – with the affable vibe heightened by the early inclusion of several irresistibly comedic segments (including an engaging stretch detailing Phil’s efforts at bedding a pretty local). It’s equally clear, however, that the movie suffers from a palpably listless feel that grows more and more problematic as time progresses, with the growing emphasis on a burgeoning romance between Phil and his attractive producer (Andie MacDowell’s Rita) certainly exacerbating Groundhog Day‘s increasingly less-than-engrossing atmosphere. (The total lack of chemistry between Murray and MacDowell’s respective characters ensures that their scenes together lack the romantic spark that Ramis has surely intended.) The intentionally repetitive nature of the film’s premise paves the way for a second half that’s almost entirely lacking in momentum, which ultimately prevents the viewer from wholeheartedly embracing the feel-good conclusion (ie it’s an awfully tough slog getting to that point). It’s ultimately difficult to comprehend why Groundhog Day has become something of a modern classic in the years since its 1993 release, with the film’s forgettable, padded-out nature confirming its place as a promising yet disposable high-concept comedy.

** out of ****