Groundhog Day
1993 · Directed by Harold Ramis
Original language: English
- romance
- fantasy
- comedy
The story
A cynical TV weatherman, along with his idealistic producer and his sardonic cameraman, is sent to report on Groundhog Day in the small town of Punxsutawney, where he finds himself repeating the same day over and over.
What it’s like
Bright, flat winter light on a small Pennsylvania town, with snow banked in grey heaps along the curbs and a warm, slightly yellowed glow inside the diner and the bed-and-breakfast. The camera stays mostly steady and unfussy, letting Bill Murray's face do the work in long, unhurried takes, while the same morning repeats with small changes in staging that reward close attention. Music is light and tinkling, a soft piano-and-strings sweetness that turns wistful as the days pile up. The vibe is wry, warm and gently melancholy, the feeling of a cold Saturday when you have nowhere to be and a mug of something hot. It suits a rainy or snowy Sunday, a comfort rewatch, or an evening on the sofa with the lights low. Pacing is brisk early, then deliberately slower as the central character drifts from sour cynicism toward patient, reluctant generosity. Violence is minor and slapstick, with no gore; there is some mild crude humour and one brief moment of sadness. It is for people who want a funny, humane film about becoming a better person, with a clear arc and no real menace.
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