GROUNDHOG DAY [the best, most intelligent and deeply layered films of the last decade]

National Review online ^ | January, 2005 | Jonah Goldberg

[Roscoe Karns]

GROUNDHOG DAY [Jonah Goldberg]

I watched it again last night. I may have seen it more times than Bill Murray repeated GHD. It got me thinking. I think it may be one of the best, most intelligent and deeply layered films of the last decade. I won't go out on the rhetorical limb the way Jonathan Last did when he said Buffy the Vampire Slayer "is the best show in the history of television." But I do think there is so much more going in Groundhog Day than most people realize. There's theology, metaphysics, psychology and most of it is remarkably understated and remarkably funny. No one ever mentions anything like Nietzsche's doctrine of the eternal return, or even explains why Murray comes so close to bedding Andie McDowell and then fails over and over again because he can't fake his sincerity. The use of irony in the second snowman scene is brilliant. And, let's face facts, there are few funnier lines in the history of cinema than (I'm quoting from memory): "This is one of those times where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather."

Anyway, just one layman's opinion.

[MilspecRob]

One of my "feel good" movies, that I watch when I need a lift. Normally proceeded by "The Money Pit"

[Roscoe Karns]

Groundhogday *LOVES* you!

Or so I hear...

Or maybe not

Checking sources...

.

CONFIRMED...........Groundhogday *LOVES* you.

[Roscoe Karns]

If you ever care to make that email public I'd love to read it.

[Elle Bee]

It is a great movie ... (I would also recommend Murry's version of The Razor's Edge)

athe the Schooner Wharf down here in Key West we have replaced our participation in the Breakfast Club (Beer it's not just for breakfast anymore) with a Groundhog Day Club (every day in the Schooner is the same) and the morality of doing something positive in the face of recidivist mediocrity has worked out well

.

[Sensei Ern]

My favorite line:
"Don't drive angry. Don't Drive angry!" just before Murray drives the truck over the cliff while the GH is sitting on his lap.

[KillTime]

One of my top 5. Great post, too, Elle.

"Defending Your Life" being another outstanding comic venue on the human condition in another "other-worldly" way.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

If you ever care to make that email public I'd love to read it.

It's really not much more than what I posted, but here it is:

Hi Jonah:

I've seen GD many times, and also think it's one of the greatest movies ever.

To me, the essential meaning is that until someone loves and cares about someone else, not in a narcissistic way, but in a deep and abiding manner, life is meaningless and every day is fundamentally empty and the same.

Oh, and it's very funny. One of my favorite moments is when Murray drives the pickup into the quarry pit.

When the truck crashes, cameraman Chris Elliott, who of course detests Murray, half-heartedly says to Andie McDowell "he may have survived." Then the truck explodes in a tremendous ball of flame, whereupon Elliott laconically observes "well, maybe not."

Regards,

[Roscoe Karns]

Believe it or not I've never seen the Money Pit. I hear it's good, though. My personal nomination for 2nd most funny movie ever: Easy Money.

[JennysCool]

SOMEBODY ASKED ME TODAY:

PHIL, IF YOU COULD BE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE?

AND I SAID TO HIM, PROBABLY RIGHT HERE -- ELKO, NEVADA -- OUR NATION'S HIGH AT 79.

[MilspecRob]

Oh you must see the Money Pit. That way you will understand my comment to my boss when she ask for a time frame for completion of some radical changes in the business she proposes. I tell her "two weeks"

[Hardastarboard]

Please consider this post to be full of the personal attacks and so forth which I would type if it weren't so cold that my fingers are unable to move.

ROTFLMAO! In other words, consider this a virtual flame,since I am unable to provide you with a real one at this time!

[knarf]

GHD is a fascinating experiment in the "What if ... ".
Very close to the "Don't step on a twig, or else ... " time travel theme.

And most certainly an excersize at looking at yourself, seeing the problems and realizing there is always time and circumstance to make adjustments and corrections.

GHD is the memory reliving events and working on those corrections ... conviction, if you will, repentence and getting things right.

(hated the damned thing)

Of course I'm kidding.

[Diva]

It's one of my favorite movies along with Cold Comfort Farm. I watch it every February.

[Diva]

It's one of my favorite movies along with Cold Comfort Farm. I watch it every February.

[battlegearboat]

Two of my favorite movies:

"Kelly's Heroes" and "Local Hero"

[Rightly Biased]

I've said that for years Mrs. Rightly Biased just don'et get it I really like Groundhog Day..

BTW "Don't drive on the Railroad tracks"

[freepatriot32]

i llhave to agree with the author it probably is all that and more i love ground hog day

[KateatRFM]

I was very bored with Groundhog Day, it reminded me too much of every day I lived in Buffalo NY. And I don't like Bill Murray. He talks too much.

But then it has been 40 years since I took cinematography and we mainly analyzed Bergman films as I remember.

[q_an_a]

isn't it interesting that films like GHD and Wonderful Life get poor marks at the obx office - but are classics years later. Bagger Vance could be such a film- too bad Dreamworks never let it get legs. (the book was better!!)

[pettifogger]

My favorite GD-related lore: rumor has it that duing the mid-90's, "I Got You Babe" was the most requested song on Armed Forces Network Radio (AFN) in Kosovo. Seems every day had become the next such that the troops, like Murray's character, wanted to begin each day with the Sonny and Cher song that awoke him on his hotel clock radio.