Is Groundhog Day a Romantic Comedy?

[Sussudio]

I can't tell you how many people I've gotten into debates with about this subject. Groundhog Day is definitely one of my favorite comedies, and I believe it is just that. However, many people think because it also centers on Phil's increasing attraction to and romance with Rita and that because they eventually wind up together, the film should be classified as a romantic comedy. Please, let's hear your opinions.

[carpaltonnel]

Well Bill Murray is not exactly a looker, but he always seems to get the girl? (Lost in Translation? How??? I guess it's true girls like funny guys My vote, comedy.

[uziel5000]

I agree, comedy all the way.

If I were to clasify it a Romcom, then the only thing he had to do break the... ehhh... whatever it was that happened to him, was get the girl but it was much more than that. He redeemed himself by helping the whole town. The girl was just the prize if you will.

[bruce_pullen]

Romantic comedy, the film has all the hallmarks. The set-up meeting in the first scene. The constant by-play between MacDowell and Murray. The film is building the romance, throughout the film. I think it's very cynical to look at this: as only comedy. MacDowell is quite good. Though, she does have limitations (though not in this film) .

The Q & A in the restaurant, the back and forth between the two. That was romantic taken to a new extreme. The repeated litmus test, with Bill being the rat. White chocolate, the mountains, French poetry, “I’ll have a Sweet Ramoth”, that is the heart of romance. And the film understands this. The sweet scene where she thinks he’ll disappear, at midnight. The bidding war, at the end of the film, this is romance. Along with the laughs.

Groundhog Day (1993) is one of the great modern romantic comedies. It actually introduces two opposites. Then gradually and honestly tweaks the circumstances. Today, you’d have the two sleep together. Then, the whole film would be about the discomfort about the act: not the relationship itself.

Groundhog Day (1993) is unusual. Because the leads aren’t absolutely beautiful. Because, there’s so much comedy between normal moments. Groundhog Day is a cross-genre feat. One that few could match today. I’d like to see them try.

My opinion.

Note: Bill, make movies again. Just not sci-fi, please.

[Doc Ostrow]

Existentialism n. 1. A movement in philosophy with roots in 19th-century German romanticism, especially in the thought of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, whose chief exponents have been Heidegger and Jaspers in Germany and Sartre in France. It stresses the active role of the will rather than of reason in confronting problems posed by a hostile universe. The nature of man is regarded as consisting in decisive actions rather than in inner or latent dispositions.

I watch Groundhog Day every February 2nd and last night was my first viewing of the Blu-ray disc. While I agree that there is a great deal of comedy and some romance, the reason the film holds up to repeated viewings is the existential theme. At the start of the film, Phil Connors is an egotistical jerk. He gets stuck repeating Groundhog Day as though it was a kind of purgatory that he can't escape until he changes. He is not told how to change but his first serious discussion with Rita (starting with "I'm a god, not the God") points him in the right direction. While they are tossing cards in a hat, Rita asks "Is this what you do with eternity?" At one point, Phil admits that he is a jerk. I guess knowing yourself is the first step in changing yourself.

The next "day", Phil tries to help the homeless man. The old man keeps dying and Phil recognizes the limits of his ability to change events but he still helps people. He also makes better use of eternity by learning to play the piano and otherwise improving himself. Eventually, he becomes worthy of Rita's love and breaks free of Groundhog Day. From a philosophical point of view, his escape from purgatory should not depend on Rita's romantic acceptance of the "new Phil", just her approval of his changed personality. I imagine he had repeated that last day several times before he got it just right.

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by Doc Ostrow

Existentialism n. 1. A movement in philosophy with roots in 19th-century German romanticism, especially in the thought of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, whose chief exponents have been Heidegger and Jaspers in Germany and Sartre in France. It stresses the active role of the will rather than of reason in confronting problems posed by a hostile universe. The nature of man is regarded as consisting in decisive actions rather than in inner or latent dispositions.

I watch Groundhog Day every February 2nd and last night was my first viewing of the Blu-ray disc. While I agree that there is a great deal of comedy and some romance, the reason the film holds up to repeated viewings is the existential theme. At the start of the film, Phil Connors is an egotistical jerk. He gets stuck repeating Groundhog Day as though it was a kind of purgatory that he can't escape until he changes. He is not told how to change but his first serious discussion with Rita (starting with "I'm a god, not the God") points him in the right direction. While they are tossing cards in a hat, Rita asks "Is this what you do with eternity?" At one point, Phil admits that he is a jerk. I guess knowing yourself is the first step in changing yourself.

The next "day", Phil tries to help the homeless man. The old man keeps dying and Phil recognizes the limits of his ability to change events but he still helps people. He also makes better use of eternity by learning to play the piano and otherwise improving himself. Eventually, he becomes worthy of Rita's love and breaks free of Groundhog Day. From a philosophical point of view, his escape from purgatory should not depend on Rita's romantic acceptance of the "new Phil", just her approval of his changed personality. I imagine he had repeated that last day several times before he got it just right.

Profound thoughts. I quite agree.

[EricJ]

Annnnnnd.....thank you for your deep contributions, Bruce.

Getting back to the thread:
Murray had been wanting to leave comedy ever since the 80's (he reportedly only did that "Ghostbusters" thing as a contractual requirement so that Columbia would fund "Razor's Edge"), and ever since then, he's wanted his solo comedies to be "meaningful"--
The whole subplot about trying to save the homeless man being one example, the last half hour of "Scrooged" being another.

It's an early indication of why, after a few last "bank" roles, he pretty much exiled himself to either quirky indie dramas, or else bit parts like "Get Smart" or "Garfield", where he only has to do one-day cameos or three days of voice work.

[STARSCREAM]

I vote comedy. The point is he is supposed to change the way he is and does other deeds and just happens to fall in love along the way. Most romantic comedies are all about just trying to get that one girl.

[Gremal]

But that is the crux of the story: he gets the girl. The only way he could get her is to "change". But it's not a traditional romantic comedy; I'll give ya that.

[henry_the_horse]

Comedies have one of the most formulated structures of any genre because the writer simply uses common movie elements as a vehicle to deliver the meat of the movie: the comedic material they've gathered.

Nearly every comedy has blatantly generic cliche elements and plot devices such as a romance, an enemy and a resolution found through an epiphany that causes a 180 in character development. All three of those elements are found in 99% of all comedies. Romances are a dime a dozen in comedies and when present they typically don't make the movie a "Romantic-Comedy".

"Groundhog Day's" romance is simply a fraction of the movie. The central plot is Bill Murray's character reevaluating his life and who he is. "Annie Hall" is the classic example of a true "Romatic-Comedy" because the entire movie, plot, situations, etc are based around sexual relationships.

[Belloche]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

I can't tell you how many people I've gotten into debates with about this subject. Groundhog Day is definitely one of my favorite comedies, and I believe it is just that. However, many people think because it also centers on Phil's increasing attraction to and romance with Rita and that because they eventually wind up together, the film should be classified as a romantic comedy. Please, let's hear your opinions.

Add me to the uncountable numbers of people who disagree with you. Grounhog Day is a romantic comedy. Tell me honestly , I think you don't want it to be a romantic comedy because you don't like romantic comedies. It's a great flick whatever you classify it as.

[STARSCREAM]

If its a romantic comedy then you might as well make the case that Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and Superbad are all romantic comedies as well because they all end up with the girl.

[ScarredLungs]

I'd say a Romantic Comedy

[Sussudio]

wow, just returned to this thread to find rom com outnumbered com in the poll. unexpected yet interesting turnout.

Originally Posted by Belloche

Add me to the uncountable numbers of people who disagree with you. Grounhog Day is a romantic comedy. Tell me honestly , I think you don't want it to be a romantic comedy because you don't like romantic comedies. It's a great flick whatever you classify it as.

honestly not true; i would have no problem if it was a rom com, i just personally think like previous posters have stated that it's a comedy at heart with a relationship intertwined throughout the plot. imo the relationship is not the story, phil's transformation of his character as he endures and eventually learns from several (comedic) situations is the story. the relationship is, quoting joseph campbell's "hero's journey," part of phil's "reward" attained by completing his "quest."


thanks for your input guys!

[Blu Man]

Haven't seen it in ages so I couldn't tell you.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Blu Man

Haven't seen it in ages so I couldn't tell you.

this is one movie i can literally watch again and again and again and never be bored (no pun intended ). that and back to the future.

[Blu Man]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

this is one movie i can literally watch again and again and again and never be bored (no pun intended ). that and back to the future.

I love Back to the Future. I never get bored with Transformers, Employee of the Month , Little Man , The Dark Knight, Superman Returns, Batman Begins, First Blood, Back to the Future and Jurassic Park. Oh and of coarse most Pixar films.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

this is one movie i can literally watch again and again and again and never be bored (no pun intended ). that and back to the future.

I would agree. It has great replay value, and can be watched many times. It will be one of those movies that I view for a little bit, after a stressfull day, to fall asleep.<<<Not because it is boring, but due to its relaxing effect.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

I would agree. It has great replay value, and can be watched many times. It will be one of those movies that I view for a little bit, after a stressfull day, to fall asleep.<<<Not because it is boring, but due to its relaxing effect.

[Sloan78]

Originally Posted by Gremal

But that is the crux of the story: he gets the girl. The only way he could get her is to "change". But it's not a traditional romantic comedy; I'll give ya that.

+1 Yeah I also agree with you, he does get the girl but it can also be classified as a comedy as well. Six one way, half a dozen of the other I suppose.