This old review should have really posted yesterday. Then again, Groundhog Day in repeat is somewhat fitting. This was written for The Pointer, the student newspaper at UW-Stevens Point. The minor reservation expressed in the last paragraph is baffling to me. By now, I’ve decided that Groundhog Day is a better movie than I first realized. 

The clock lazily clicks over to 6:00 a.m. and the radio blares to life, playing the silly Sonny and Cher classic rock hit “I Got You Babe.” Thus begins February 2nd the day Bill Murray us forced to constantly relive in the new film Groundhog Day.

Murray plays an obnoxious, egotistical weatherman who travels to the small town of Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania to cover his least favorite news event: a big, furry rodent pops out of his hole and supposedly informs on the timing of winter’s end.

After a freak blizzard strands Murray in the tiny town, he awakes the next day to find that tomorrow has never come. He is once again living through Groundhog Day: meeting the same people, having the same conversations, and covering the the exact same inspired news non-event. No matter what happens to Murray during the course of the day, it is seemingly erased during the night, and he continually awakesn to face February 2nd.

This intriguing premise is bursting with comic opportunities, and co-writers Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin utilize every one of them.

Murray is initially thrilled by the prospect of being able to do whatever he wants without having to face the repercussions of his action.

Rather than settle for a wild joyride, though, the film also explores the frustration felt by Murray is being unable to escape the endless cycle of this single day and the heartbreak he feels when he falls in love with his producer (Andie MacDowell), but she forgets his affections as soon as the day starts over.

The comedy is inventive and very funny, as the filmmakers seem to be taking great delight in exploring the multitude of opportunities the storyline presents. The film succeeds with the big jokes and also with the small details, such as Murray’s sedate pleasure in using his intimate knowledge of the day’s episode of Jeopardy! to imprss a roomful of people (he can provide the proper response before the clue is even read).

The entire cast (which also include Late Night alumnus Chris Elliott) is terrific, filling their roles with wit and charm.

Even if the film occasionally begins to drift or meander a bit too much, the inspiration of all involved keeps you drawn to it. The movie is uncommonly funny and features Billy Murray at his most likable. Groundhog Day is a true treat.