On G List of Movie Reviews

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Groundhog Day (1993)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 7/08

GroundH
7/08: Groundhog Day has an ingenuous gimmick that separates itself from the pack of romantic comedy pictures.

Bill Murray selects a role which describes him the best: smug, funny, arrogant, and irresistible. Andie MacDowell once again is flawless and a darling as Rita. Chris Elliot and Stephen Tobolowsky are superb. Rick Ducommun makes a cameo.

The concept could have been tedious after a while. Yet the best part is the movie is consistently funny while never running out of gas. Director Harold Ramis has done a good job in this respect.

Despite Phil Connors' smugness and arrogance, he becomes a likable character in the long run, and I started to root for him midway. However, there's a small problem. Every event is dependent on timing of the moment. Phil Connors can be one second, one minute, or twenty minutes early, or he can be five seconds, six minutes, or one hour late before the event happens, but I'll overlook it.

All in all, Groundhog Day remains a memorable picture for going through the same day over, over, over, and over.