Looping back to the movie Groundhog Day

There are a lot of films that can be described as a cult classic these days. Chances are if it’s a movie that’s over five years old then there is a good chance someone will describe it as an ‘underrated gem’, to the point that it’s become a bit of a buzz word you can slap on anything and call a day. However when it comes to the movie Groundhog Day, there are few better words I would use to describe the movie than a true cult classic. One of those films that doesn’t tend to pop up in conversation very often, but always has someone singing its praises when it does.

In this article we will explore both the movie itself, and some of the rather interesting influences it has had throughout culture as a whole. Spoiler free of course

Released in 1993 Groundhog Day, to briefly summarize, is a movie about one Phil Conners, a weather man with a bit of a chip on his shoulder as he goes to cover Groundhog Day, much to his dismay. However it doesn’t take long for the film to introduce its real premise, that being the fact that Phil keeps repeating the same day over and over again. The film is at its core, a comedy. Bill Murray, the actor for Phil Conners, gives what is arguably one of his best performances, with countless moments where I found myself audibly chuckling at a few jokes. The writing does an excellent job of taking various aspects and turning them into something so absurd that it almost makes you forget the somewhat horrifying premise of the movie.

Although that doesn’t stop the film from dealing with some rather serious philosophical questions throughout it’s runtime. Somehow striking a tightrope balance between moments that make you laugh and moments that keep you trapped in such suspense that at some points I forgot I was watching a comedy at all, which is rather high praise all things considered. While I won’t go too deeply into the rather serious elements of the movie, since I genuinely believe that it’s a movie everyone should experience at least once, I will say that the idea of bettering yourself is absolutely core to the movie’s themes, and one that you will be able to clearly notice throughout the entire film.

If you only care to know whether or not the movie is worth watching, I’ll end your suspense with a strong recommendation. Groundhog Day is, without a doubt in my mind, a true classic that everyone should watch at least once. A solid 5/5 film.

However, just as interesting as the film itself, is the effect it had on culture as a whole. There are a few obvious examples such as the fact that the term ‘Groundhog Day’ has become pretty much synonymous with the idea of repeating the same day over and over again, and the idea of being trapped in a time loop, while not originating from this film, did undoubtedly popularize it. It can also be firmly placed as where Bill Murray changed from just being a good comedic actor, to an actor capable of delivering genuine heartfelt depth that could reach people.

One of the more surprising elements of it all, though, was the spiritual messages many felt the movie helped preach, albeit unintentionally. Pretty much every religion, ranging from Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and even a reference to the Greek myth of Sisyphus. It is understandable considering the movie’s themes of improvement and breaking out of harmful cycles, but it is rather surprising just how many people have come away from the Bill Murray comedy movie, feeling as if they had come away with a spiritual revelation.

Of course, this is just an example of the sheer quality of the movie’s writing, and ever since my first viewing of the movie, I’ve found my mind looping back to it constantly. I can safely say that this film isn’t one you should skip out on.