Groundhog Day (1993)

I have finally seen this film. It only took me forever.
Phil Connors (Bill Murray) thinks he's this hot-shot meteorologist in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. His co-workers call him a primadonna all the time. Every year he journeys to Punxatawney Pennsylvania to report on whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow. He hates this assignment. He is pompous, self-centered and egotistical. But then, something inexplicable happens. After living out Februrary 2nd completely, he awakes only to find that it is February 2nd again and again. He can't understand it and when he finally breaks down and tells his producer co-worker, Rita (Andie McDowell), she thinks he's going crazy and takes him to see an inexperienced psychiatrist.  But then Phil realizes that he can live without consequences. He drives a car off a tree, steals some money because he has every detail around him memorized for he is the only one who can change his actions, for everyone else, this is the first time they are living February 2nd. He even tries to kill himself, frying himself in the bathtub or falling off a building, only to waken the next morning to live February 2nd all over again. He tries to bed a woman, to no avail and even goes after Rita, who fortunately refuses to sleep with him. After he realizes that no matter what he does to charm her will end the same way, he sort of gives up on her and instead tries to make a difference in the town, taking an old, homeless man to the hospital where he dies. The next time, he takes him out to eat first but then the man dies in the streets. He saves a boy who falls out of a tree and runs away, without even thanking Phil for probably saving his life. He fixes the tire of a car and convinces a couple to go through with their wedding. And participates in a bachelor auction at a party celebrating Groundhog's Day where Rita gladly pays good money for him. It is after that day when Phil finally wakes up, with Rita (albeit clothes still on) on February 3rd. He is a much changed man. He is happy, and despite living the same day for years, still delights in the little things and is finally truly at peace with himself.
Sure, the idea is crazy, but the message is good. Phil was able to change his life for the better and that is something we cannot take for granted. Sure, it took him dozens of times to get it right and ultimately, he learned that he should just savor the moment.
The film also had that genuine small-town feel, with realistic settings and average looking people. Even the minor characters were pretty entertaining, namely Larry (Chris Elliott, Peter from Everybody Loves Raymond) the cameraman and Ned Ryerson (Stephen Tobolowsky), a crazy insurance agent. Brian Doyle-Murray (who used to regularly appear in The Middle is the mayor of the town, Buster, though he has little to do.
Despite the obvious issues with the film, I did enjoy it though it wasn't as funny as I thought it would be. Oh well, I will watch the film again, especially for Murray's effortless performance. Grade: A-