Common Sense Note
Parents should know this lighthearted comedy nonetheless deals with depression and Phil undertakes a series of suicide attempts. Phil also womanizes.
Families who see this movie may want to discuss other movies that play with time, such as It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Carol. What is appealing about this idea?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Randy White
A cranky TV broadcaster repeatedly relives the tedium of Groundhog Day in a small Pennsylvanian town until he learns to treat people decently. Bill Murray shines in this good-natured comedy that delivers lots of laughs and some honest sentiment.
This funny and uncommonly sweet movie has just the right blend of comedy and romance. All hail Bill Murray, who is hilarious in his usual role as the detached wiseacre. Remarkably, the movie manages the almost impossible task of making us care about this sarcastic man.
The story is simple but clever, and uses repetition to great effect. Funniest is Phil's great effort, over several days, to figure out what Rita fancies, such as French Romantic Poetry, so he can use that knowledge to seduce her. Each defeat means a little more information -- each defeat gets him a little closer to winning over Rita the next time around. Other hilarious scenes include Phil impressing everybody at his B&B by knowing all the answers to Jeopardy, which of course he's seen many times.
Director Harold Ramis also uses sound and music to great comic effect. Phil wakes up every morning at 6 a.m. to the ironically cheery Sonny and Cher song "I Got You Babe."
The perennial Christmas favorite It's A Wonderful Life has similar themes. Scrooged, Murray's own updating of Dickens's A Christmas Carol, is also in the same vein. Groundhog Day proves that forgiveness and redemption are not limited to the holiday season.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentBill Murray's character seduces women, but there's no nudity and there's nothing kids won't see during television's family hour. |
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LanguageVery mild. |
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Social BehaviorRealizing there are no ramifications to his actions, Phil robs an armored car and gets involved in a high speed chase with the cops. But in the end, Phil is redeemed as he learns to genuinely care about others. |
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