Groundhog Day

Critics Consensus

Smart, sweet, and inventive, Groundhog Day highlights Murray's dramatic gifts while still leaving plenty of room for laughs.

96%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 78

88%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 416,328
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Movie Info

Bill Murray plays Phil, a TV weatherman working for a local station in Pennsylvania but convinced that national news stardom is in his grasp. Phil displays a charm and wit on camera that evaporates the moment the red light goes off; he is bitter, appallingly self-centered, and treats his co-workers with contempt, especially his producer Rita (Andie MacDowell) and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliot). On February 2, 1992, Phil, Rita, and Larry are sent on an assignment that Phil especially loathes: the annual Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney, PA, where the citizens await the appearance of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog who will supposedly determine the length of winter by his ability to see his own shadow. Phil is eager to beat a hasty retreat, but when a freak snowstorm strands him in Punxsutawney, he wakes up the next morning with the strangest sense of déjà vu: he seems to be living the same day over again. The next morning it happens again, and then again. Soon, no matter what he does, he's stuck in February 2, 1992; not imprisonment nor attempted suicide nor kidnapping the groundhog gets him out of the loop. But the more Phil relives the same day, the more he's forced to look at other people's lives, and something unusual happens: he begins to care about others. He starts to respect people, he tries to save the life of a homeless man, and he discovers that he's falling in love with Rita and therefore wants to be someone that she could love in return. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Cast

Bill Murray
as Phil Connors
Andie MacDowell
as Rita Hanson
Chris Elliott
as Larry
Stephen Tobolowsky
as Ned Ryerson
Brian Doyle-Murray
as Buster Greene
Marita Geraghty
as Nancy
Angela Paton
as Mrs. Lancaster
Rick Ducommun
as Gus
Rick Overton
as Ralph
Robin Duke
as Doris the Waitress
Carol Bivins
as Anchorwoman
Willie Garson
as Kenny, Phil's Assistant
Ken Hudson Campbell
as Man in Hallway
Les Podewell
as Old Man
Red Sell
as Groundhog Official
Rob Riley
as DJ Voice
Tom Milanovich
as State Trooper
John M. Watson Sr.
as Bartender
Rod Sell
as Groundhog Official
Peggy Roeder
as Piano Teacher
Rom Milanovich
as State Trooper
Harold Ramis
as Neurologist
David Pasquesi
as Psychiatrist
Lee R. Sellars
as Cop
Chet Dubowski
as Felix, Bank Guard
Doc Erickson
as Herman, Bank Guard
Sandy Maschmeyer
as Phil's Movie Date
Brian Doyle Murray
Leighanne O'Neil
as Fan on Street
Evangeline Binkley
as `Jeopardy!' Viewer
Samuel Mages
as `Jeopardy!' Viewer
Ben Zwick
as `Jeopardy!' Viewer
Hynden Walch
as Debbie
Michael Shannon
as Fred
Richard Henzel
as DJ Voice
Timothy Hendrickson
as Waiter Bill
Martha Webster
as Waitress Alice
Angela Gollan
as Piano Student
Shaun Chaiyabhat
as Boy in Tree
Dianne B. Shaw
as E.R. Nurse
Barbara Ann Grimes
as Flat Tire Lady
Ann Heekin
as Flat Tire Lady
Lucina Paquet
as Flat Tire Lady
Brenda Pickleman
as Buster's Wife
Amy Murdoch
as Buster's Daughter
Eric Saiet
as Buster's Son
Lindsay Reinsch
as Woman with Cigarette
Roger Adler
as Guitar Player
Ben A. Fish
as Bass Player
Don Rio McNichols
as Drum Player
Brian Willig
as Saxophone Player
Terry Fryer
as Piano Hand Double
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Critic Reviews for Groundhog Day

All Critics (78) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (3)

  • Murray, more often than not, is pretty unbearable; but here, playing a man who is unbearable, Murray begins convincingly, amusingly, and gets even more amusing as he metamorphoses.

    Jan 5, 2018 | Full Review…

    Stanley Kauffmann

    The New Republic
    Top Critic

  • While Murray's deadpan putdowns and dry dismissals of provincial peccadilloes are the comic highlights, Groundhog Day is no supercilious rip of small-town U.S.A.

    Feb 2, 2015 | Full Review…

    Duane Byrge

    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic

  • Groundhog Day may not be the funniest collaboration between Bill Murray and director Harold Ramis... Yet this gentle, small-scale effort is easily the most endearing film of both men's careers, a sweet and amusing surprise package.

    May 6, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Kenneth Turan

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • Murray hasn't made a comedy this winningly dumb and smart and -- yes -- sweet in a long time. If, indeed, he ever has.

    May 6, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Steven Rea

    Philadelphia Inquirer
    Top Critic

  • A movie that continually replays a single day could quickly become tedious but, strangely enough, Groundhog Day never does.

    May 6, 2013 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

    Jay Boyar

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic

  • Murray's wiseacre persona is perfect for what could be saccharine material in other hands.

    May 6, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Gene Siskel

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (78)

Audience Reviews for Groundhog Day

  • Jan 03, 2018
    With a great balance between devilish glee and heartfelt sincerity from Bill Murray, Groundhog Day offers an easily digestible tale that creates a charm of its own, even if some of the middle section of the story isn't the most beliveable or understandable.
    Filipe P Super Reviewer
  • Aug 10, 2017
    Only Bill Murray could've handled the mad concept of Groundhog Day as well as he did, the brilliant concept and theories behind the film drive the force of the picture. Murray's dry, sarcastic wit and deadpan delivery perfectly counteract the Punxsatawney residents who flit with small-town comedic absent-mindedness. Andie MacDowell meanwhile perfectly counteracts Murray's dryness with warming optimism and brilliant capabilities in her delivery. The soundtrack is also great, but really makes me never want to hear "I Got You, Babe" ever again. The film serves as a great satire of the 9 to 5 grind and a wanting to escape from the grind of working life. A film to watch again and again and again and again and again...
    Harry W Super Reviewer
  • Mar 27, 2015
    Bill Murray delivers comic perfection, but it's the tightrope between pathos and existentialism that the screenplay manages to walk that is most engaging about this classic.
    Kase V Super Reviewer
  • Jan 23, 2014
    I've finally seen it. The incredible amount of references I've heard to this movie for decades after its release testify to its delightful originality and earn it obvious classic status.
    Letitia L Super Reviewer
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