Groundhog Day - An Inescapable Premise

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The premise of Groundhog Day is expertly constructed to drive natural, organic character change. In this video, we examine how Phil is designed to be a character that seems like he could never change, dissect how the premise of the story traps him in a world that will constantly attack his character flaw, and explore how the relentless nature of the premise ensures that the protagonist will have no choice but to transform.
Produced by: Michael Tucker ( / michaeltuckerla )
Written by: Tricia Aurand ( / triciajeana )
Edited by: Alex Calleros ( / alex_calleros )
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[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

The news is in! Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring for 2019! Did you see your shadow this morning?

[@savitashirwale8818]

Can you do Her(2013),please?

[@Gemnist98]

Phil better be right this time; we really need to get out of this weather. As for your question, the answer’s the same as every morning: I might have and not even noticed it because unlike Peter Pan, my shadow’s always going to be there. Love Groundhog Day though!

[@jamesward3859]

I dare you to do in what my opinion is the greatest script of all time PULP FICTION, I bet you can’t do it

[@MGBillionaire]

Lessons from the Screenplay I live in Atlanta. It was hot today lol

[@bonza4clarinet]

Can you explain the ending of this movie? Why does he want to stay in Punxsutawney?

[@mehulfuria5997]

They should announce a sequel and re-release the same film.

[@Arkylie]

I'd watch it in the theater.

[@hootsifer-darling]

Would pay for it

[@LJRex]

Film Critics: It's groundhog day....again

[@uninstaller2860]

Hey! I've seen this comment before...

[@ricomajestic]

That's like repainting the Mona Lisa and calling it Mona Lisa Part II

[@ryanrobotham7696]

I think the final straw for Phil's change was the fact that no matter what he did, he couldn't stop the homeless man from dying, he recognised how precious life is and how to genuinely care for people.

[@BooseJuice]

Ryan Robotham you put more thought into this than the whole idiot video

[@emperorreign6154]

I disagree, although I see where you’re coming from. For me, the turning point for him was when he speaks to a sleeping Rita and tells her how much he loves her but knows he’s not worthy of her affections in return and that he doesn’t deserve her. But if that could ever change one day, he’d never stop loving her from that day forward. I think it was only then he realised he had to be the best person he could possibly be from that moment on and stops telling her about the time loop, and squandering his days on meaningless personal pursuits and instead focusses on selflessly helping others, including the old man.

[@sarahjacob2008]

Yes, I agree. I felt he was so upset that it was the homeless man's day to die. There is one scene where he is giving the homeless man CPR and looks up to the sky as if trying to call on a higher force for aid. Although it is not mentioned in the film I assume he finds out whilst in the hospital about all the other people who die or are injured on 2nd February and decides to prevent those injuries and deaths.

[@fireflyeclipse]

I think it’s more than that. Fate or God or whatever causes Groundhog Day knew one major event wasn’t enough to change Phil into who he needed to be. All of the things he goes through; being rejected over and over, watching the homeless man die over and over, all teach him the lessons he needed. Any one thing wouldn’t have been enough to change him permanently.

[@shardgunner4815]

Jennifer Maynard One movie tho

[@urdnotstark8270]

Small or big credit to whoever made sure that they never explain why he’s in the loop. News flash, it doesn’t matter. What matters is Phil’s change as a person and the film focuses completely on that.

[@YoniLiron]

I hear Disney's making a prequel to explain this plot hole

[@Deondre_Clark]

I'm sure if you search there will be some version of why that's a "flaw" or "plot hole"

[@sabbathjackal]

Legend says the original ending has them wake up on day 2 with rita stuck in the loop

[@jacksondewit6935]

@@YoniLiron It's not a plot hole

[@combogalis]

It was originally in the screenplay and it was pretty dumb. If I recall correctly, an ex-girlfriend of Phil pays some witch-woman to curse him. So glad they took it out.

[@benhac]

"Phil would rather die then change." This line scared me. Must have wached this film ten times a while back and only now it really got through. Thank you for this video. Truely thank you.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

[@Arkylie]

It's true of many of us. Also, if you want a much, much darker view of this premise, you might look into Neil Gaiman's *Sandman* series -- but bear in mind that it goes to some really, *really* dark territory.

[@wmichaelbooth]

It's not so much that he'd rather die. If given the choice, Phil might very well choose to change (though he might be incapable of it at that point). It's more accurate to say that Phil was so egotistical that it never occurred to him that he had this whole other avenue of selflessness to explore. And once he begins to explore it, the exercise changes him.

[@ArgonTheAware]

That could also be said of the reason for the existence of Hell that the people who end up there "would rather die than change" so that Hell is the last resort to make people change their ways. Which was "the Inescapable Premise" of the book Inferno by Niven and Pournelle about those who tried to escape from Hell and how it transformed them to reveal it's purpose. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3K0nptsbqlpmqc

[@sofijeffrey9797]

@@wmichaelbooth I agree. He didn't see changing as an option.

[@TempvsMortis]

Groundhog Day is the ultimate artistic expression of Nitzsche's idea of value. His argument was that without a divine grounding for meaning, we had to construct our own meaning, and the best way to figure out personal meaning was to imagine we would have to live our lives over and over and over again, forever. He thought that if you really took this idea of infinite regress seriously, then a life of selfishness and destruction is actually a pretty terrible and boring way to live, and that a life of compassion and creation is the most fulfilling. That is the exact premise of Groundhog Day.

[@florv5647]

❤

[@charlieboy6315]

Then again, Nietzsche also coined the phrase "hell is other people", so some mixed messages there :-)

[@MH-fb9uf]

@@charlieboy6315 That was Sartre

[@charlieboy6315]

@@MH-fb9uf D'oh you're right! My bad...

[@LadyDeme]

@@charlieboy6315 And even within that, "Hell is other people" is not a statement of misanthropy. It's about how the tools we principally have to understand ourselves are other people's judgement, and how that is truly inescapable. In the play No Exit, from which that line is taken, the characters are trapped in their hell room not by any specific barrier but by each other: by each's judgement of the others, and each's need to have the others judge them in a certain way. Their torment isn't physical, but in the desire for them to "be" something that they can "only be" if the others agree that they are, which, of course, they never will.

[@_Matsimus_]

Nothing beats the scene of the groundhog driving the car with him as they drive off the cliff lol

[@jeetshannigrahi5315]

Never expected to see you comment here. Shows army men love films too.

[@wjatube]

Don't drive angry!

[@GlennDavey]

Hahahah cAr faLL dOwN

[@cyberpleb2472]

As an animal lover, that scene always bothered me. It's obvious the groundhog is very stressed.

[@AcrimoniousMirth]

I think the turning point for Phil was seeing the old man dying alone. That sense of loneliness and not having anyone spoke to him and made him want to change. Very Scrooge-esque.

[@SammyHaymes]

Don't you mean scroogeD-esque?

[@HomemadeSubmarine]

Also having eternity to learn piano was a good use of his time. Close second I’d say.

[@nathanglover8938]

I liked that too. It's an interesting realisation; that the day might be repeating, but the only thing that doesn't reset is his mind. Therefore he has all the time in the world to learn things - he can learn any number of skills or facts

[@adamcharles478]

What's so wonderful about that relationship with the teacher is how, in her mind, she's only ever taught him for a brief one-hour period on that one day and when she tells Rita, "He's my student!" when he's performing at the party she's technically taking credit for some other teacher's teaching up until that point, not really realizing that the teacher who helped get him as good as he got was actually her.

[@jcb3393]

@@nathanglover8938 He's already come to that realization when learning French poetry (an otherwise, "colossal waste of time!"). The difference is that learning the piano is a way to 1) connect with others (i.e., the piano teacher, giving her a sense of pride and accomplishment in her student), 2) bring joy to others (through playing at the evening party), and 3) perhaps least of all, personal growth.. but even then, not for selfish reasons (as opposed to learning French, which was a means to a selfish end). Similar self-improvement comes from learning to ice sculpt. It's an art form that is. by nature, temporary and fleeting, yet brings joy and wonder to others.

[@ace942]

It does raise a question that if a person had infinite time, what skill would someone want to acquire?

[@asherschmidt9820]

For me: singing, combat/martial arts/survival skills, weaponry/shooting and etc, Ice skating ( or w/e physical activity/sport ) although he won't get physically better/fit, that muscle memory, and kinaesthetic intelligence would... much like learning piano, or to ice sculpture would.

[@LostCosmonauts]

*Broke:* _my favourite genre is horror!_ *Woke:* _my favourite genre is "Groundhog Day, but..."_ Groundhog Day, but _slasher_ = Happy Death Day Groundhog Day, but _horror_ = Triangle Groundhog Day, but _sci-fi_ = Source Code, and About Time, and Edge of Tomorrow, and... Groundhog Day, but _dirty_ = save-scumming in video games Groundhod Day, but _IRL_ = Buddhism

[@adrienneczerni6516]

Groundhog day but irl: ptsd

[@Raindrop_2401]

Groundhog day but video game: Majora's Mask and Undertale

[@aerthreepwood8021]

So the Mystery Spot episode of Supernatural?

[@dionisiskef4922]

Underrated comment

[@tvpivm]

but in x-files: monday

[@needhamcomics6370]

I feel like his real change came when he tries over and over and over to save that homeless man's life. Only he can't and watches this other person die over and over again while he gets to live, trapped but live. If I remember correctly this is around the point he really starts to change. Which is nice since it has nothing to do with Rita. He learned empathy not just to be with her.

[@salemsaberhagen1570]

The brilliance of Groundhog Day gets lost in the fact that it has become cinematic trope that has been done again and again. As someone who has seen a similar story line in many TV shows and cartoons, the premise of Groundhod Day isn't special. But thinking about it in terms of this movie being the first one to trap a character in an infinite time loop makes you realise how profound the idea is.

[@ddcrowley]

Agreed. Plus, the comedy and heart of Groundhog Day hasn't been matched either, in my opinion.

[@JohnnyRelentless]

Not really the first. In 1990 a short film called 12:01 PM, was about a man trapped for eternity in a time loop that lasted only an hour. There's also a 1984 anime movie about kids trapped living the same day over and over again. Mirror for a Hero is a 1987 Russian movie about someone trapped in the same day in 1940. There are others, I'm sure.

[@salemsaberhagen1570]

@@JohnnyRelentless Really? I didn't know about those. Thanks for telling me. Do you remember the name of the anime? I'd love to see that one.

[@4dultw1thj0b]

I think it's one of the few time loop stories where the stakes are fairly low and the focus is entirely on letting character growth unfold.

[@duffman18]

Also there was that Star Trek TNG episode that did the repeating day concept a few years before Groundhog Day came out. It was the first epsidoe directed by Jonathan Frakes (Riker) IIRC.

[@Just.Bleed1]

I saw the thumbnail of this video and i hadn't watched groundhog day yet, so I watched it and returned to the video. Great movie, and nice explanation as always!

[@calliph]

It's such a classic.

[@bytefu]

That's the proper way to watch a review, it doesn't alter or cloud your judgement and let you have the best of both: you get to enjoy the movie and then the things you missed or didn't understand. There's no better deal than that, as far as I know.

[@MarkRasmussen72]

One of the greatest screenplays of all time, for one of the greatest film concepts of all time. How the writers pulled this off is still being dissected decades later. Genius storytelling of the highest order.

[@Sandra-hc4vo]

"I think we should meet again, How's tomorrow for you?"

[@chance_ondriezek99]

One of my favorite comedies. Bill Murray kills it, probably his best work.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Absolutely

[@nikagogibedashvili6476]

One of my favorite dramas.

[@KutWrite]

Certainly up there with his SNL skit "Sartresky and Hutch."

[@Bropann]

Arguably yes. But I think that "Lost in Translation" edges it out.

[@leerv.]

"What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?" ... 'That about sums it up for me.'.

[@smtucker0419]

Life feels like that at times. gotta just shake things up.

[@likeshareandsubscribe2866]

Then you better male some changes toot sweet.

[@eggizgud]

Funny that he ended up getting good insight from a couple of hicks, whom he had disdained on the 'first' day.

[@cupofcoffee2914]

Is called life if you hate your wife your home

[@doghouse416]

Just watched this movie yesterday,...a classic...."Don't drive angry" a quote I've used for over 25 years.

[@eli88958]

Probably one of my favorite filims, this is the peak of set up and payoff

[@jackkmccoy]

So glad you covered it. I grew up in Woodstock, the town they filmed the movie in, so it was always special to watch.

[@Screened]

You're giving me another reason to watch this movie again. Thank you!

[@thefourthwatch6337]

Credit where due; this is the the best synopsis of the story yet, and I say that as one who gave up all other holidays after seeing this film the 1st of 25 times now. "You Don't Know Me" may be the most well placed of any coolest song ever. And Phil's party jazz number may be the most lifting of all time. I can just see the whole movie in my mind in a minute anymore, but it's still the most special thing in life to sit down with popcorn and a sixpack and live it again. Thanks for your talent, Mr. Lessons! And for sharing.

[@VincentVonDudler]

"So then, let’s suppose that you were able every night to dream any dream you wanted to dream, and that you could, for example, have the power within one night to dream 75 years of time, or any length of time you wanted to have. And you would, naturally, as you began on this adventure of dreams, you would fulfill all your wishes. You would have every kind of pleasure you could conceive. And after several nights of 75 years of total pleasure each you would say “Well that was pretty great. But now let’s have a surprise, let’s have a dream which isn’t under control, where something is gonna happen to me that I don’t know what it's gonna be." And you would dig that and would come out of that and you would say “Wow that was a close shave, wasn’t it?”. Then you would get more and more adventurous and you would make further- and further-out gambles what you would dream. And finally, you would dream where you are now." - Alan Watts Just made me think about living on an infinite timeline and my mind naturally goes here.

[@Ejosii]

the wheel weaves as the wheel wills

[@aerthreepwood8021]

I promise that I wouldn't dream where I am now or most of the places I've been.

[@RumbleFish69]

I think that as folks get older, they can appreciate the greatness of this film much better. I was a kid when I saw this film and back then, I thought it was good. Today, I can see how deep it is and how it was so much more than a comedy.

[@savitashirwale8818]

Great video.If possible,then please do Her (2013)

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Definitely on my radar!

[@lilyl.6715]

“Do Her? I don’t even kno her!”

[@cinemacola6398]

Agree with this 100%

[@joshliam1967]

Oooh I like this idea

[@aerthreepwood8021]

Her? Is she funny or something?

[@ShineOnYouCD]

He should re-post this every day

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

🤔

[@brunoschaves_]

Let's all be frank: Groundhog Day is the modern A Christmas Carol. Timeless. Perfect. Unique. (And, some kind of way, a perfect Christmas movie too. 🤔)

[@denisenova7494]

The Screenwriter: You do realise that Bill Murray actually is in a version of A Christmas Carol?

[@aulvinduergard9952]

@@denisenova7494 Yeah, but it kind of sucks. This one's better.

I think it's the best Christmas movie, not set during Christmas time.

[@mistamemewide]

“Timeless” Is that a no pun intended.

[@maybenot909]

timeless

[@murilocorrea9357]

I've read a book some time ago with the same premise, but written i think 5 years before this movie, it's called Replay from Ken Grimwood But it's different, the guy dies in mid 80's and goes back to 60's when he was in college and start reliving his entire life, until dying again at the same time, by the same heart attack, but when goes back some things change. Sorry for the english, just wanted to talk about this book =P

[@Doombot]

I love that book! I've read it twice.

[@funkymilo2956]

Ha, you released this video on Groundhog Day (2 Feb)

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

;)

[@Shkamaterasu]

So maybe that's why Russian Dolls was released this week end too ? :o (I mean, as an homage)

[@PButts008]

The writers said Phil spent 10 YEARS his time in Punxsutawney before he escaped the cycle. All videos on this movie seem to always leave out how long he was actually there. Just is case anyone else wondered. Great vid.

[@emperorreign6154]

I’ve seen the same writers rectify the initial 10 year statement and insist it was actually much longer. Between 30-50 years I’m sure I’ve seen quoted. Which makes sense. He masters quite a few things in the time loop including piano, flawless ice sculpting and learning French. Becoming an expert in anything will usually take you at least 10 years.

[@Mcquiz95]

@@emperorreign6154 But that 10 years is with all the other life stuff going on too. Phil didn't need to do any of that because he essentially had no future. He could do nothing but learn piano, ice sculpting and French for months as he didn't have to waste time on stuff like a job.

[@markedge5276]

On the dvd extras someone answered this question, it is 1000 years.

[@Nipponing]

@@markedge5276 No that was the intention, not what they finally chose.

[@Dayvit78]

@@Mcquiz95 But that's not to mention he had to learn something about every one in the town which means he had to be in every part of the town at least several times to learn what goes on there and find the perfect time to visit that part of the town to set up the friendships that lead to the climactic scene. There's a whole lot of exploring and trial and error he had to do while learning all the other stuff.

[@MysteryFoxx3506]

Seriously, you have a knack for picking my favorite movies.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

You clearly have good taste :P

[@Limubi1]

It's cool watching this video in the context of other films that push this premise in different directions: Happy Death Day as a horror film aims to get a character through a similar journey as Phil, while adding a tension building element of sustained physical damage to the protagonist (while completely aware of its debt to Groundhog Day). Russian Doll (I've only watched the first 4 episodes) directly challenges the premise, with the protagonists aiming to discover WHY this is happening to them, while also undergoing character arcs. Are there other examples of recurring days in storytelling?

[@leviathan5664]

What I like about this movies analysis channel is that it’s philosophically sound to a great extent,concepts are precisely defined and how these generalized literately concepts and schemes are connected/used by writers/producers for the construction of movies wether explicitly or implicitly,or as a tool for critique/analysis of a work.and any subjectivity associated is kept in its place and to a degree that art would permit. Unlike most other channels who indulges a lot in their subjective bubble and their unbounded free style analysis let alone their obscurity.

[@danielmonroe10]

One of my favorite KZbinrs breaking down one of my favorite movies! My family and I have been watching Groundhog Day every February 2nd for as long as I can remember. I love reading Roger Ebert's reviews of Groundhog Day since his opinion changed over time. The movie never loses power for me upon re-watch and there always seems to be fresh ideas to experience.

[@poindextertunes]

i like to think its a metaphor for the insanity of everyday life. people keep making the same mistakes over and over e.g. toxic relationships, drug abuse, general narcissism. Phil spends the majority of the movie trying to change things outside himself in attempts to achieve happiness. Its only when Phil changes on the inside that he breaks the loop. idk if that makes sense to anyone else but me 🤷‍♂️ lol

[@4dultw1thj0b]

Well yeah, of course! The musical adaptation goes even deeper with it becoming really apparent that the loop is a kind of metaphor for living with depression, specifically caused by alienation from other people. He's looking out only for his own interests which, on the one hand, causes tons of careless destruction to those around him and makes him generally unpleasant, but on the other hand it also isolates him and keeps him from being able to have real emotional bonds with anyone. And when you don't have those things to keep you tethered, your only apparent options are to either find some sort of distraction to latch onto or give in to the abyss. What gets him to finally move forward is admitting to someone that he has a serious problem that he can't hide away from and doesn't know how to fix, allowing himself to be truly seen by that person. He steps off of his imagined heavenly pedestal and becomes another human being living in the town. Rita helps him realize that what he needs is to be part of a community, to treat people as equally deserving of respect and dignity, to have compassion, to consider that he doesn't know everything and that he can learn from them. It doesn't mean that he's now going to be perfectly happy all the time, but he's reached a point where he can honestly say that he feels good about himself and where he is and like he's going to be okay whatever happens. The process sure wasn't easy, but he was never too far gone to get better and ultimately he took responsibility for putting in the necessary work and opening himself up. When I first got into the show while it was still on Broadway, it resonated really deeply with me and gave me hope that I could someday get to that point in my life, as well as hope for others being able to transcend the stuff they've internalized and that we could all have a part in creating a better world. Hhhhh sorry this is a lot lol

[@PrinceHal2619]

I pressed play and paused at 0:02. Just wanted to say how excited I am everytime a new LFTS video pops in my feed. I absolutely love your content, Michael.

[@harrytsang1501]

What if we make a podcast, called Groundhog Day, to discuss the movie, every day?

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Yes

[@oscarfriberg7661]

I bet that podcast is unmade

[@isaiahrinaldi51]

Groundpod Day or the Groundhogpod

[@bryal7811]

The podcast always opens with "I got you babe" and an encouraging "Rise and shine!" Day after day, I wonder how long you could keep that up?

[@assdan27]

You should listen to "the worst idea of all time." Listen as two guys slowly descend into madness as they watch and review Grown ups 2 every week for a year.

[@JustaGuy_Gaming]

This was a great movie with amazing actors, a funny script and a great concept but I Think what really put it ahead of a lot of others in this situation is it didn't feel the need to explain anything. Phil just starts to repeat a day until he is eventually released. We have no real idea WHY he was allowed to repeat that day or why he was deemed to have learned his lessen and was let out. No God or Devil popped up and said "good job" or "It was me" to explain things. Leaving the supernatural focus point of the movie ambiguous was a great touch, it let you believe that the world was more like the real world than just another fantasy movie.

[@spooneater9001]

To me the most impressive part is how the background characters have to replicate the exact same performance beat for beat for multiple takes

[@MAFion]

I like that the screenplay doesn't try to explain why the day keeps happening. If it did, it would drag down the script by showing contempt for the mystery. A hacky science fiction-like exposition would only be a letdown. Rather because the main character doesn't understand it, we too feel what he feels and go along with his experiments.

[@williamwalsh1533]

There are plenty of things to appreciate about Groundhog Day. But what I most appreciate is that no matter how much Phil learned about Rita and kept applying that knowledge to draw closer to her, she nevertheless, resisted his sexual advances. It was a great way to show the purity and wholesomeness of her character.

[@internziko]

Say what you will but KZbin is still an amazing creative platform

[@Balthazar0Jeffrey]

Another great video, I literally spend my time waiting for lessons from the screenplay and haven't been disappointed yet

[@katebogdan5322]

I love your channel! I'm more interested in writing novels than screenplays, but I still find these videos super helpful and insightful for any medium or storytelling! Thanks Micheal.

[@Tzourosaur]

Caine Vsause Lessons from the Screenplay My all time favourite Michaels.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

That is a list I am too flattered to be on.

[@eduardo_moya]

Scott?

[@Rxmbler]

Reeves?

[@Epiloguers]

It's amazing how its same premise traps him into finally changing. It's a little sad how the path towards change can be the ultimate last resort (literally Phill) but at the same time it makes up for a great story, that it's ultimately really positive, in a sense that it says how every single person is capable of self-betterment; some just need more time than the rest, maybe even, as you said, more than a lifetime.

[@alcamentertainment4849]

Finally! I'm so happy to see you coming back with another great analysis. I love your videos so much, they are helping me a lot in learning how to build and frame a good story. Thank you, Michael, your work is fantastic ;)

[@aidancorona1978]

I love watching these! Thanks for some seriously great content about stories and how some movies tell them so well! One thought I had while watching this video: it might be helpful to have some counter examples mentioned each time, like some movies that might NOT have followed their own rules or embraced the premise for this episode, just to help reinforce the overall concept even more! I think that could help one in the process of finding practical action steps to make one's own work better! But really, these videos are AWESOME and I love when a new one comes out! Thanks for making them!

[@Danilego]

This is one of my favorite movies ever, and it is the most unexpected one to be there, I never would have guessed how much I love Groundhog Day before watching it!

[@InformantNet]

I love this movie. I borrowed the DVD from the library 20 years ago and watched it 4 times over the weekend. Brilliant film.

[@subarusumeragikun]

One of my favorite movies of all time. I appreciate it more every time I see it. Also you have some of the best segues for your adverts. Keep up the quality work.

[@cecelia8975]

I truly admire all of the work you put into your videos. All of the details make for an engaging learning experience. I wish I had this resource when I was in Screenwriting Principals! Also, that segway into Skillshare was seamless.

[@DemonBoy3223]

One of the best comedies out there, one which perfectly uses its time loop premise to a T. It is a sad shame that it had resulted in Murray and Ramis's friendship to fall out, but I heard that they amended their wounds just before Ramis had passed, good to know. Cannot wait to see _Happy Death Day 2U_ coming up this Valentine's Day, excited to see how they continue from where the awesomely entertaining first film had ended.

[@alysonlima5709]

Almost made me cry, damn i love this movie.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:) It's so good.

[@alysonlima5709]

@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay I almost cry with your video. But when the homeless die in the movie.. 😭 And the character changes, I love it ... it shows me that there is still hope for all of us. Great video. Love from Brazil 🙏🏽😊👍🏾❤

[@Saltyarticles]

Beautiful piece and commentary. One of my favorites from your channel.

[@tomjones2348]

Well done!...again! Your presentations are very easy to listen to. Well written, great audio clarity, good diction, and concise.

[@williambrown1448]

Another amazing and very inspiring video, great job. I’d love to see a video on The Shape of Water, and just a specific thing I love about Del Toros writing is he writes with time in mind; what I mean is that if something is going to play in the film for a certain time, instead of writing the sentence in the script, he’ll seperate his action lines into segments representing how long it’ll take in the film (it’s done amazingly in the first few pages if you don’t want to read the whole screenplay but just wanna get an idea for what I mean). Also I think La La Land has great potential for a video by you. Just a few ideas, and thank you for the great work.

[@kalenzypie]

Very timely for Russian Doll too!

[@seeduboyou]

was that in the movie? (i haven't seen the full movie yet 😅🤭)

[@alexarias5717]

I wonder if it's good

[@kalenzypie]

christine w Not in the movie. It’s a show that just dropped on Netflix that utilises the same daily repeating concept

[@Limubi1]

I've only watched the first 4 episodes; it's so good!!!

[@tskwared667]

I thought this video was going to be about the fact that Groundhog day's premise has been recycled over the passed few years

[@vintagegenesis5534]

One of my favorite screenplays, and I really enjoyed this analysis. Great job, as always!

[@ghostlightning]

Thanks for this. My brother's and I in the 90s practically recited this movie to each other. This is my favorite comedy of all time, where I found out that a redemption story is what I truly love and this film taught me how good it is when it's absolutely earned.

[@grimrenaissance]

When even the transition for the sponsorship is so 👌 Great work!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you!

[@thebadg3r]

Gonna keep commenting till a video is done on The Princess Bride. :D No pressure tho Michael. As always, loving your channel.

[@losalfajoresok]

One of those movies that you could watch over and over again....like a Groundhog day!

[@jedherne9275]

Man that segue at the end was soooo on point. Another awesome video!

[@Jucaslames]

Great video. Could you do one on La La Land? I was surprised that I couldn’t find one on your channel already. It’s definitely a worthy movie.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you! Definitely in our list of movies to examine.

[@treyharshaw7276]

In the spirit of Groundhog Day, I think I'll watch this video again! Can I subscribe a second time as well?

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:D

[@forfreedomssake4315]

Thanks man. You're a blessing. Have a nice day.

[@CalebNorman]

Thanks for this video! Great film, and I loved your analysis of it. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@Gkowi]

Phil went through all that crap, killed himself multiple times, learned to play the piano, learned to make ice sculptures, saved a kid falling from a tree, just tons of stuff... But the Universe was just trying to get him laid.

[@NoConsistency]

Groundhog Day is the 2001: A Space Odyssey of comedies.

[@brendantaylor6879]

Another great video Michael! One my favourite classics! I'm gonna go rewatch it!

[@FilmGoalsProductions]

The animations are always so clean in these videos. Great job

[@roweproductions9424]

Great vid. And on the day the Groundhog day game gets a trailer! What timing 🙂

[@roweproductions9424]

Yep Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son. Looks odd but that's it!

[@jcb3393]

I just recently watched "Edge of Tomorrow" (a.k.a., "Live, Die, Repeat"), and couldn't help thinking that it's essentially "Groundhog Day" during a war. The main character has a similar inevitable growth path via reliving the same day repeatedly: he starts out as self-important and cowardly, and also seeks that escape from the repetition. The difference is that he MUST die every day (no falling asleep peacefully and awakening the next/same morning), so his desire to escape is initially much more about self-preservation and the avoidance of pain (i.e., the agony of death). SPOILER ALERT The twist - and most significant difference from Groundhog Day - is that there is someone else with a shared experience. This at least gives him an anchor of sanity and relief, while also being the catalyst that pushes him to set a goal greater than mere "avoidance of death/pain". Eventually, this "anchor in the sea of madness" becomes a love interest (again, initially out of mere "hormones", but eventually for better reasons: a need and desire to connect, not just with "someone" but with one who understands you and you know more than just at a carnal level). I'd love to see a video that examines "Edge of Tomorrow" and compares/contrasts it with "Groundhog Day".

[@LycoLoco]

Check out Happy Death Day and its sequel Happy Death Day 2U if you enjoy time loop stories like Groundhog Day and Edge of Tomorrow (which is also getting a sequel!). It's a take on slasher/comedy done by Blumhouse which has some surprising depth.

[@CareerKnight]

I would recommend checking out the manga its based on, All You Need is Kill.

[@PeppermintFilms]

These videos are so helpful! Thank you and keep up the great work

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Our pleasure!

[@LiquidreamUK]

Another great video - thanks Michael. Groundhog Day is one of my favs, and I think Murray's finest performance (other than Lost In Translation). Having this deeper insight only improves my love for the film. Thanks again! :D

[@Dexter26958]

Can you please do some more Stanley Kubrick next?

[@patriciacarreramontiel7783]

He did the shining

[@Dexter26958]

@@patriciacarreramontiel7783 I know, that's why I said "more"! Kubrick did so many masterpieces

[@CoinOpTV]

classic flick!

[@abdullahchhab2325]

Calling it a flick is insulting

[@byrdseed9213]

@@abdullahchhab2325 what do you think a flick is

[@abdullahchhab2325]

@@byrdseed9213 a cheap silly film

[@byrdseed9213]

@@abdullahchhab2325 it means a motion picture, quite literally just a movie

[@JorgeBenavidesjobenaviphoto]

When you hear “hi I’m Michael ... and you get all emotional ! Great video Michael love this !

[@sutematsu]

"Presumably, most of are not living the same day over and over again for what is essentially an eternity." *watching from quarantine intensifies*

[@HilariouslyScary]

I'm curious to know what people would do if they started living the same day over and over again with no consequences. I'd probably just spend all day stuffing my face with food tbh

[@wwoods66]

Sure. Phil does that too. But eventually it palls.

[@jacobyrassilon]

Different hooker each day...sometimes two.

[@aulvinduergard9952]

Could you imagine how much money someone could rack up by playing the stock market? Sure, it'd all go away at the end of the day but if he ever did make it out he'd be set for life.

[@bytefu]

Realistically, I would become even more insane. An interesting question, by the way: is there a limit to being insane, given the eternity available for the becoming? Although, in practice, one cannot become "infinitely insane", because there would be a point when one goes completely nuts, gets hospitalized and, inevitably, becomes a bit less insane.

[@hadyzabibrebolledo1394]

Do Duck Soup (1931) that movie is smart af ti be a comedy

[@warrengday]

Published on Feb 2nd, very cool. Thanks for great video.

[@johnporter2447]

As always, absolutely wonderful. Thank you for your videos.

[@louisBrother1988]

I would have loved an ending where he just wakes up to another Groundhog Day as usual, but this time smiling

[@Big_Dai]

I'd argue that Phil doesn't realize he has to be selfless.. in fact, he simply gives up on her! Then, he turns his attention to other things (assuming, for years and years) until it naturally happened.. Rita fell in love with him for what he made of his life. At that point, normally, I'd say a person like Phil doesn't need a Rita anymore. He has changed, he no longer wants the things he did. I understand the need to get out of the loop and provide a happy ending, but to Phil, she should be a thing of the best, well below his "new desires".

[@pledgestone]

Another stellar video and another amazing movie. Great work!

[@SkillGame]

Your channel has single-handedly reawoken my creative side. Your analysis and appreciation of various storytelling techniques make me want to drop everything and write, which is awesome. Thanks!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

[@nesirsitsir]

Ayyy its noon on the east coast Headed to McDonalds anybody want anything

[@Ken-pv9zu]

Let me get a number 9 large

[@tinyrocks7549]

Milkshake, strawberry 🍓

[@ringkite]

I want a vegan drive thru for everyone who needs one

[@JuriAmari]

10 piece chicken nuggets please! 😁 and a mango smoothie

[@abaranihei2608]

Big Fries my Dude!

[@renewagain6956]

Last.

[@onastick2411]

For the movie to work, like Scrooge, Phil has to be basically a decent guy, his flaw expresses as selfishness and egoism, but when slapped across the face, he still holds the door open, a nice touch, which reveals the depth of the character within. The film has to show there's someone to rescue, I think only Bill Murray can pull this sort of character off: the hurt male, masking his pain with cynicism, while wanting so desperately to be loved and loving.

[@chel-lalasveganmania]

This is the best advertising plug I have ever seen, great stuff. I loved it! Marketing genius.

[@JorgeGarcia-jw7ct]

Spanish subtitles, please:(

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Hopefully soon!

[@jeffcolorado]

I can't help but wish we could send trump to some time in Punxsutawney, so he could turn into a decent human being.

[@LordHollow]

This is one of my favorite channels. Thank you.

[@gretatudeg4877]

All I can say is thank you so much for your work! I love your critiques!

[@julius-stark]

1M is right around the corner and will be well deserved.

[@michellecerioni4903]

Loved this video, love this movie. You are by far my favourite channel

[@gogool808]

Making Groundhog day even better. You are honestly the greatest thing to happen to this site.

[@tidepride86]

Hi Michael!! Thanks for uploading!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you for watching!