OKAY, CAMPERS, RISE AND SHINE, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR BOOTIES 'CAUSE IT'S COOOOOOLD OUT THERE TODAY: It's February 2, so it's time to talk about the movie again. Do you buy the whole Buddhist thing, or should we just quote lines for a while and generally discuss its awesomeness?
Participate in this thread, or it's gonna be cold, it's gonna be grey, and it's gonna last you for the rest of your life.
This is easily one of my favorite features on the blog. Thanks for doing it.
ReplyDeleteI almost stepped in a puddle just like Ned! Ned Ryerson! on my commute this morning, so I'm feeling this discussion.
ReplyDeleteI've mentioned my theory before -- he's figuring out how to get on day exactly right
ReplyDelete-- so learns many skills, he goes down many false paths, but finally gets to a day where he does a few specific things to improve the lives of those around him. He was a selfish jerk -- this is his penance -- and when he gets it right, he can move on with the rest of his life.
It is, I think, in many ways an example of the Catholic notion of Purgatory: you can be redeemed, but there's a lot of attachments you need to lose. His work is to get him there, and when he does, we see what needed to do -- the work he needed to do to get all of this right:
- The Chekov speech
- He choose not to have coffee with Rita, at first
- He saves the kid from the tree
- He has piano lesson (although this is revealed only at the party -- you don't see him take lessons on the final day, but must have)
- He changes a tire
- He saves someone from choking
- He's playing the piano at the party
- He convinced Debbie she should marry Fred, and gives them Wrestlemania tickets
- He fixed Felix's back (when did he pick up Chiropractic?)
- He bought insurance from Ned Ryerson
- He wins over Rita
His getting it right, however, seems dependent on finally realizing death is inevitable, even on a day that lasts forever. His last act before the Final Day is comforting the old man... something he doesn't apparently do on the Final Day.
Is it off camera? Or does his acceptance of death let him finally get life correct?
The last words in the script before the Final Day are "Breathe, Pop!"
Maybe Phil, at last, listened to himself.
I dearly love that your Groundhog Day post is identical every year. That's so perfect.
ReplyDeleteIt goes deeper than that, and not just in the timestamp. I'm grateful to one commenter in particular for his continuing role.
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