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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Masterpiece and a Light Hearted Vehicle, 21 May 2001
Although I am almost certain that post Groundhog Day, Andy MacDowell became the most annoying actress ever to grace an advertisement, this is a wonderful film. Acerbic, knowing, yet infinitely patient, Groundhog Day entices the viewer to witness the transformation of an individual from beast to beauty. Cliched though this may seem, one can't help but be captivated by Bill Murray's inspired performance as Phil Connors, TV Weatherman. Murray strides from one scenario to the other with bravado, joy, and perhaps most notably, pride. A particularly moving scene that I believe highlights this, sees Murray trying, again and again, to save the life a homeless man. Again and again the man dies, and Murray is left helplessly pounding his chest in an alley, one imagines this happens night after night. The sense of futility and frustration Murray portrays, provides one of the most moving scenes in any modern English language film I have seen in a long time. Groundhog Day forces the viewer to confront the possibility that our lives may one day become so routined, that in fact, we are only living one day over and over. In this way the film is fairly conservative. Its Hollywood message: live each day to the fullest, and be a better person. Yet somehow it is easy to forgive Groundhog Day this traditionalist indiscretion, because it seems almost too innocent. If I was to fashion a love story in the memory of a film, it would bear remarkable similarities to Groudhog Day. I was thrilled to see Bill Murray imitating Andy MacDowell's Groundhog impression. In my opinion, imitation is truly the highest sign of flattery, and the first indication of love. I my be insipidly romantic, but I don't care. It is a film that gives you a warm glow, but still lets you laugh out loud without guilt. If you haven't guessed, I feel deeply connected to this movie. I have found myself watching Groudhog Day again and again, (indeed, sometimes against my own will and good sense when I should be studying) yet it has remained inexhaustably entertaining and cheering. I might dare to say it even gets better with repeat viewings. Well deserving of five stars, and maybe more for the cheesy smile it puts on the faces of my girlfriend and I. Stripes is a different matter altogether. In this fluffy film there are the stars and the bit players, each working to complete a mutual goal of entertaining the viewer. Although this works in parts, it is strikingly obvious that there was never a great deal of commitment from the actors to make this a great film. Stripes made it into my VCR more than once during my teen years, though I'm sure a gratuitous nude scene played a small part in that. However, having said all that, if you want to see Bill Murray, Harold Raimis and John Candy being funny like people wanted them to be in the eighties, this is definitely for you. Three Stars, but more than welcome when it comes with the excellent Groundhog Day.
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