Groundhog Day (1993)

One of my favorites, it combines time travel with the mundane of daily living, and it does so with an interesting comedic arc.

Bill Murray is Phil, a local meteorologist assigned to cover Punxswatney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog, who may or may not see his shadow on February 2.  Phil, seeing the assignment as below him (no pun intended) fights in a passive/aggressive way at the work, and sees only the negative in the situation.  When by some magic, he starts reliving the same February 2 day over and over again, he starts by trying to change it for his pleasure and good, but then finds acceptance in the sameness.

Bill Murray is well cast as the sarcastic but lovable Midwestern schlubb (which he always plays even in  real life).  Andie McDowell has another turn as 80s womanly perfection.  And Chris Elliott has a nice supporting cameraman role.

Directed by Harold Ramis who made Bill Murray into what he already was.... everyone's favorite schlubb (Stripes, Ghostbusters)

* * * * * a cultural touchstone

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