Groundhog Day

Nick Lynch
Groundhog Day Response
1/21/09


While the idea of the egotistical jerk being reformed through some sort of divine intervention, or committing himself to existing within sacred time rather than profane time is certainly uplifting, the way in which it is accomplished in the film is overtly optimistic in regards to simple human nature. Phil's identity as a person is the end result of his entire life up to the point in which the film takes place. The years of pessimism and self-worship have clearly cemented themselves within Phil's character. The idea that his sudden change of heart was inspired by his "love" for Rita not only defies Phil's very identity, but also goes against the relative realism that the film has built for its setting and action. Phil, while vain, is not stupid and immediately ascertains that his experience with his "hiccup" in time is certainly not a natural occurence. Reliving the same day over and over again while trapped in a fairly rustic and unexciting town, eventually amounts to Phil's idea of hell which drives him to kill himself on a number of occaisions to escape the monotony. It is Phil's realization that it is his "sinful" actions that have condemned him to reliving the same day an infinite amount of times that ultimately drive him to "reform" himself into a model citizen, christian, person, etc rather than any genuine sentiment of goodwill.