Groundhog Day

Director: Harold Ramis
Producer: Trevor Albert, Harold Ramis
Screenwriter: Danny Rubin, Harold Ramis
Stars: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brian Doyle-Murray
MPAA Rating: PG
Year of Release: 1993
Released on Video: 01/29/2002

The word “stuck” somehow does not even come close to this man’s situation. Phil, a nasty, self-centered weather forecaster who is bored with the same old assignment and same old co-workers, wakes one day to find he is condemned to live the same exact day over and over, seemingly forever. Upon first discovering his plight, he allows his selfish nature to take advantage of the situation, using his foreknowledge of what others will do to get the upper hand. But in the end, life on a perpetual “unchanging” merry-go-round shows him how to convert himself into a much more pleasant fellow.

Viewing Suggestion:

Notice the transformation Phil goes through after he moves beyond denial and resentment over the conditions of his life. When he becomes authentic and compassionate his life circumstances change too.

Ask Yourself:

- Are you feeling stuck in your life right now?
- What would you do first, if you woke up one morning and noticing that — miraculously — you have the capacity to change your situation?
- Does Phil demonstrate something that you need to avoid and other behavior that you might want to adopt when you feel stuck?
- Do you have inner resources that Phil didn’t initially have?