Groundhog Day

Harold Ramis, 1993, USA, Colour, 101 mins, Certificate: PG

This is no joke.

“Groundhog Day” is, quite simply, one of the best comedies ever made, out of an ingenious, BAFTA winning (among many other accolades) original screenplay. It is directed by the multi-talented writer, producer, actor and… “Ghostbuster“, Dr. Egon Spengler himself, AKA Harold Ramis, and it stars the force of nature that is Bill Murray, at his mightiest, in perfect harmony with the ever lovely, yet always approachable Andie McDowell.

This is a (cult) classic.

A forever influential, integral part of our pop culture it never gets old or boring. Instead, now and again (and again, and again…), as a gift that keeps on giving, it becomes urgently, refreshingly and hilariously timely, as its grumpy weatherman hero, tuned in neither to the weather’s temperament, nor to that of his fellow humans is forced to live the same day over and over until he gets it right.

This is now, again.

As we are interminably stuck in the Brexit loop, “Groundhog Day” is, quite simply, unmissable. A heartening, good kind of surreal escape from our bad kind of surreal reality.

Reviews:

“With a script as beautifully complex as this one, Ramis and his cast have half of their work done for them. There is a moral to the tale as well, and it even strikes an uplifting note. But, for once, the audience isn’t forced to surrender its intelligence (or its healthy cynicism) to embrace the film’s sunny resolution.” Hal Hinson, The Washington Post

★★★★ “Director Harold Ramis avoids sentimentality and smalltown stereotypes in favour of one genuinely hysterical set-piece after another and, perhaps best of all, offers no complex or meaningful explanation as to why his protagonist should be in this mess and simply allows the comedy to shine through.” Caroline Westbrook, Empire

“Half Capra and half Kafka, the story of “Groundhog Day” presents golden opportunities, particularly in the gently romantic scenes with Ms. MacDowell. Mr. Murray is as believable and appealing at these moments as he is flinging insults.” Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“Groundhog Day: the perfect comedy for ever… Bill Murray called it ‘probably the best work I’ve done’ and, … years after its release, Groundhog Day can still take your breath away.” Ryan Gilbey talks with one of its screenwriters and some of its famours admirers explaining its lasting appeal. The Guardian