Groundhog Day (4 Stars)

Phil Connors, the weatherman for a tv station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is sent to Punxsutawney, also in Pennsylvania, to report on the yearly Groundhog Day on February 2nd. Why, you may ask, is a weatherman sent to do an anchorman's job? This is because of a legend that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day spring will come early, but if the groundhog returns to its burrow winter will continue for another six weeks.

When Phil and his crew attempt to leave the town after the event they are trapped by an unexpected blizzard. On the next day Phil wakes up in his hotel room and it's February 2nd again. The day repeats itself. Everything, apart from what he directly influences, is the same. Then the day repeats itself again. And again. And again. Phil's attempts to escape by suicide fail, because he is reborn on the same day. He indulges in crimes such as assault and robbery, but since the next day never comes there are no consequences. He has sex with strangers, and makes multiple attempts to win the heart of his colleague Rita. He even presents himself as God, telling people he knows everything that will happen.

The reaction to the film is interesting. Many see it as an affirmation of Buddhist philosophy. Catholics say that it represents Purgatory. People from other religions claim it supports their faith. The director, Harold Ramis, says that he had no interest in a spiritual exposition, he just wanted to make a good film. In my eyes, this is what makes the film so popular. The way it's been made, everyone can see in the film what he wants to. There is no right way or wrong way to interpret the film. I also have an opinion, what it means to me, but I won't even state it here. Like everyone else, I see what I want to see.