Research Catalog

Title

Groundhog day / Ryan Gilbey.

Author

Gilbey, Ryan

Publication

London : BFI, 2004.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Additional Authors

• Ramis, Harold.
• Rubin, Danny.

Description

96 p. : ill., (some col.); 19 cm.

Summary

"It is becoming clearer and clearer that Groundhog Day (1993), directed by Harold Ramis, is one of the masterpieces of 1990s Hollywood cinema. One of the first films to use a science-fiction premise as the basis for romantic comedy, it tells the story of a splenetic TV weatherman, Phil Connors (Bill Murray at his disreputable best), who finds himself repeating indefinitely one drab day in the milk-and-cookies town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. At first glance it seems like a feel-good parable in the tradition of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1947). But on closer inspection it is a deeply ambivalent fable, with strong echoes of Samuel Beckett: before he finds redemption Phil must plumb the depths of suicidal despair - and even after he has survived this, the film offers no guarantees that he will live happily ever after." "Ryan Gilbey begins his account of Groundhog Day with the long and unlucky gestation of the script by Danny Rubin (who was interviewed specially for this book) which formed the basis of the finished film. Gilbey celebrates the inspired casting of Murray, alongside Andie MacDowell and less-known actors such as Stephen Tobolowsky (who plays the reptilian salesman Ned Ryerson). In a subtle analysis, he goes on to unpick the film's remarkable blend of humour and melancholy, revealing Groundhog Day to be a rare beast - a mainstream Hollywood comedy which grows richer with each repeat viewing."--Jacket.

Series Statement

BFI modern classics

Uniform Title

BFI modern classics.

Subject

• Comedy films > History and criticism
• Comedy films > United States
• Fantasy films > United States
• Groundhog Day (Motion picture)
• Groundhog Day > Fiction
• Ramis, Harold > Criticism and interpretation
• Rubin, Danny > Criticism and interpretation
• Science fiction films > History and criticism

Genre/Form

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 89-91).

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

A funny film -- In the loop -- 1 February -- Groundhog days -- Days without end -- 3 February.

ISBN

1844570320 (pbk.)

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library