Groundhog Day

  • Post published:02/02/2011
  • Post comments:7 Comments

I have no affection for groundhogs, but Groundhog Day is one of my favorite movies.  Made in 1993 it has come to be lauded as one of the best movies ever made. “The film is number thirty-four on the American Film Institute‘s list of 100 Funniest Movies, and was named the number eight Fantasy film inAFI’s 10 Top 10Roger Ebert has revisited it in his “Great Movies” series. After giving it a three-star rating in his original review, Ebert acknowledged in his “Great Movies” essay that, like many viewers, he had initially underestimated the film’s many virtues and only came to truly appreciate it through repeated viewings. In 2009, the American literary theorist and legal scholar Stanley Fish named the film as among the ten best American films ever.

In 2006, the film was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”  I like to think I recognized its value way before that.  It’s even better than “What About Bob?” another Bill Murray classic.

On his fascinating blog Transparency Now media critic Ken Sanes has an essay detailing the plot of  the movie which has our ‘hero’ trapped in one day and through his journey from anger and bewilderment to compassion and understanding.. ” Slowly, he goes through a transformation. Having suffered himself, he is able to empathize with other people’s suffering.”  I should mention that this is a very funny movie!

Check out what Wikipedia has to say and imdb.com gives reviews from professionals and amateurs.  Readily available on Netflix.

This Post Has 7 Comments

  1. Lisa at Greenbow

    I can remember the first time I watched this movie. I laughed so much. I hope you aren’t snowed in. Stay safe and warm.

  2. Pat

    Lisa – I am snowed/iced in in Cambridge where I had hoped to see Harvard’s glass flowers today, but the Museum of Natural History is closed. I get to visit a lot of blogs and visit with my son and his lady.

  3. Layanee

    They say we’re young and we don’t know, we won’t find out untillll …..LOVE that movie and now I am singing that song. It is a good one though. Happy GH Day.

  4. Pat

    I heard the groundhog predicts an early spring – and I am hoping he is right.

  5. Bookfool, aka Nancy

    Groundhog Day is one of our family favorites (so is What About Bob) and we just recently watched it. It never grows old.

  6. Tinky

    I love it, too! Bill Murray at his most appealing. Thanks for reminding me. Maybe I can find it on cable tonight……

    Happy Candlemas/Groundhog Day!

  7. Pat

    Nancy – The story is wonderful and Bill Murray is a genius!
    Tinky – I hope you read the essay – link given. It is fascinating.

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