Six Important Lessons From The Movie Groundhog Day

Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.” - C.S. Lewis

The 1993 Movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray arrived on the scene like a lot of other Bill Murray movies. Basically it was reviewed as an okay, albeit lightweight movie.

Over the years, the film has been growing in popularity and embracing new generations. Its message of redemption has incredible staying power. It continues to garner a snowballing amount of critical recognition. With the benefit of time, we now see it as a story that broke the mold.

Roger Ebert reviewed it several years after his original three star review, he went back and gave it four stars and said:

Groundhog Day is a film that finds its note and purpose so precisely that its genius may not be immediately noticeable. It unfolds so inevitably, is so entertaining, so apparently effortless, that you have to stand back and slap yourself before you see how good it really is. Certainly I underrated it in my original review…”

Groundhog Day has now become a classic and beloved movie. The term “Groundhog day” now can mean “something that keeps repeating itself.” In 2006, the movie was given the honor of being selected for preservation in the Library of Congress.

Didn’t We Just Do This Yesterday?

As we know, the movie introduces us to the Bill Murray character, Phil Conner, a nasty, self-centered weather forecaster. His primary goal is to have his way with his kind and beautiful producer, Rita, played by Andie MacDowell.

For unexplained reasons, Phil is trapped in time – on Groundhog Day. He is forced to repeat that day over and over. He soon finds he is in a life with no consequences. He quickly pursues hedonistic, chaotic and criminal behavior. This turns out to be a trap – a false freedom of sorts.

According to screenwriter, Danny Rubin, this recurrent day took about ten years for Phil. He wanted to represent how a soul would change if it had an extremely long time to get things right. Eventually, Phil grows tired of the selfish and sinful pursuits. He comes to learn that Rita represents all things good. He has to be true in his intentions, actions and spirit to win her heart. After countless rejections, Rita eventually brings out Phil’s best.

Having been sentenced to repeat that day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, he also learns all the people, their backgrounds and what makes them tick. He learns it’s far more rewarding to help others. Near the end of the film he learns he cannot save the old man living on the street. He accepts that he has limitations and that time is incredibly valuable.

The Movie’s Lasting Message

The movie Groundhog Day has been embraced as a fable about morality, motivation and what's important in our lives. Rubin reports that he receives constant feedback from Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist groups who use it to teach moral principles. Even a NFL team has used it for motivation purposes.

What's the secret to the movie’s slow but cumulative success and respect? First, we think this is a movie that gets better with repeated viewings. That’s a bit ironic given the subject. Next, it is a work of art that tells us about the human condition. It shows our inherent selfish nature. It shows us, through time, what’s important and what gives life meaning and value.

The movie’s joy comes from overcoming bedlam, becoming aware and making a difference to others. It’s a story of self-redemption that gives us all hope and motivation to pursue our better selves. The movie has a gentle and universal spiritual message – from chaos to poetry.

The Six Lessons:

Phil is stuck in life in more ways than one. He goes nowhere by being selfish and hedonistic. Things improve for him only when his focus moves off himself and to helping others.

Lesson 1: Focus on others and not yourself.

After Phil accepts the fact that he is stuck, he starts learning to play the piano.

Lesson 2: No matter what your situation, be positive, keep learning and make the most of it.

Phil gets things very wrong time after time only to wake up to Sonny & Cher at 6:00 AM regardless of his actions of the previous day. After years of this, he learns to try new approaches. What works is instructive and he finally finds a way out.

Lesson 3: Your big mistakes make for great instruction. Learn from them. They also keep you humble.

Phil moves from extreme boredom in the beginning to a man with a purpose with a keen sense of time.

Lesson 4: Your time is your life – it is incredibly valuable. Treat it as such.

At the end, Phil becomes genuinely sincere and helpful to others.

Lesson 5: We grow spiritually by helping others, especially those who cannot reciprocate.

Lesson 6: Don’t drive angry.

We hope you get a chance to see this movie again sometime soon. It’s definitely worth repeating. Please tell us what you think.

Happy Groundhogs Day!

Dave Hynek and Cindy Larson

Related Links:

Details on the movie Groundhog Day

Movie clip: Insurance Salesman Ned Ryerson accosting Phil

"I Got You Babe" by Sonny & Cher

"How To Write Groundhog Day" by Danny Rubin

Mike Metzger's take on Groundhog Day the event