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Lesson 1 Assignments
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Laura Woodworth’s Analysis of Groundhog Day
What I learned doing this assignment was to see a deeper meaning with some of the events and dialogue within the film which all lent toward the message of the movie.
1. What is the change the movie is about? What is the transformational journey of this movie? The transformational journey is for Phil as he travels from an egotistical and uncaring man to a man who sees the world around him and really cares for others. Also, he found a deeper way to be happy in his current circumstance, whatever they may be.
2. Lead characters:
Who is the change agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change? Technically, the change agent is time – the repeat of one day in his life. Character-wise, the change agent is Rita. She is the right character because of her kind ways – she is good for him.
Who is the transformable character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right ccharacter to deliver this profound journey? Phil is the transformable character and his is the right character to deliver this profound journey because he is the guy we love to hate… and in which we each see a little bit of ourselves in. We connect with him – and we actually root for him to make the change and ultimately get the girl. We’re happy when he changes and his change towards happiness in whatever circumstance affects us in a deep way.
3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story? The guy you love to hate… we’re watching to see if he will gain a self-awareness and start realizing the value of the people around him.
4. Looking at the character (s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From old ways to new way of being. Identify their old way. Identify their new way at the conclusion.
Phil: old ways: uncaring, insensitive, sarcastic, egotistical. There is no bright spot in his life and no one he cares more about than himself.
New ways: caring, sensitive, embracing the world around him and working to make things better where he can.
5. What is the gradient of the change? What steps did the transformational character go through as they were changing?
Phil’s change was a step by step gradual process – and we could all relate to each one! From disbelief and “you’ve got to be kidding me” to the realization that he could do whatever he wanted and not bear the consequences to “kill me now” to trying to make a difference, realizing he can’t control/change everything, to doing the good he can do now – slowly becoming a man who truly cares for those around him and who has found the secret to happiness in whatever state he finds himself in.
6. How is the old way challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective… and make the change? The old way is challenged as he faces rejection and he is exposed for what he is: a swindling man working for his own good. He realizes his life will never change – unless he changes.
7. What are the most profound moments in the movie?
The moment when he realizes he can’t change the death of the old man, no matter how he tries – but he can impact other’s lives for good.
The moment he brings coffee for the team and really shows he cares – and he sees them.
8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
“I’ve come to the end of me.”
“What if there is no tomorrow?”
“You make choices and you live with them.”
9. How does the ending pay off the setups of the movie?
The song “I’ve Got You Babe” – he gets the girl!
Rita’s encouragement to: “Try it again, without the sarcasm” – and he “tries life again” with authenticity.
The policeman: “It’s your choice. So what’s it gonna be?” – and life really does become a matter of Phil’s choice and how he chooses to live life.
10. What is the profound truth of this movie? Your choices determine your life. (Life is what we make of it! You can change!)
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Hi Cheryl…where do I find the profund map for the Matrix?
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That is my question also. Where can I find read the “Profound Map” for The Matrix, please? @cheryl croasmun
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What I learned doing this assignment is that the journey taken is so well planned and laid out. And hits us in a deeply emotional way even though its such a fun and impossible movie. I came up with several variations on the change… and they all play in. The reason this comedy movie sticks with us and stands the test of time is because of this profound transformational journey.
What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?
–Selfish to selfless
Valuing every minute
Valuing every day
Valuing other people/life
Living in harmony with the world
Live each day like there is no tomorrow
Lead characters:
Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?
Rita
Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?
Bill Murray, Phil Connors
Totally self absorbed and selfish
“egocentric”What is the Oppression?
Groundhog day time loop
How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?
Comedy!
Great twist with the intrigue of the time loop
Wanting to see Phil get his due/come uppance
Even though phil’s a jerk, he’s still a bit relatableLooking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the conclusion:
From selfish to valuing each day and helping others
What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?
Every day a new gradient and change!
Confusion
Testing
Manipulating to his advantage
Going too far/crazy
Giving up
Trying to kill hinself
Thinks he’s a God – tells the truth
She believes him
He’s honest with her
He does good things for people – less selfish
He opens up honsetly and vulnerably
He lets what happens, happenHow is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?
At first he’s just using his knowledge to get what he wants still selfishly… but it only goes so far
He’s stuck and doesn’t like what he gets
Even manipulating people gets oldWhat are the most profound moments of the movie?
His face getting locked in jail, waking up in bed exuberant
When he doesn’t step in the puddle and someone else does. He has learned.
Picks up on girl – setup
When he plans the robbery
Him adjusting the approach to Rita in the Bar
When Phil stands up and drives the car to the railroad tracks to test life
Keeps getting slapped – because he hasn’t really changed yet
His depression Attempting to kill himself
When he tells her what he knows about her with such love. A side we haven’t seen of him yet.
Trying to save the homeless – guy – just passed away – realizes he can do nothing – “sometimes people just die.” Not today.
His touching speech on the news
The day where he’s helping people – Errands –
When they spend the day together with honesty, and he truly cares for.
Chases off Ned Ryerson with love ahahaha
His confession of love and happiness
When he wakes up and things have changedWhat are the most profound lines of the movie?
Ned – get out there and sieze opportunity by the horns
What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today!
That was a pretty good day. Why couldn’t I get that day over and over and over?
What would you do if you were stuck in one place, and every day was the same, and nothing you did mattered?
What if there were no tomorrow? No consequences, we could do whatever we wanted?
Sometimes you just have to take the big chances
You make choices and you live with them
I don’t worry about anything anymore. That’s exactly what makes me so special
“The wretch, concentered all in self, Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down To the vile dust, from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonored, and unsung.”
If you only had one day to live, what would you do with it? What do you want out of life?
I’m amazed how you can start a day off with one opinion…
I could never love anyone like you because you’re only in love with yourself. -Rita That’s not true, I don’t even like myself. -Phil
It’s cold out there today. I’ts cold out there everyday
Maybe the real God uses tricks. Or maybe he’s just been around so long he knows everything
Maybe it’s not a curse. Depends on how you look at it.
Only God can make a tree
Winter is just another step in the cycle of life. I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter
No matter what happens tomorrow or for the rest of my life, I’m happy now because I love you.
Do you know what today is? Today is tomorrow.
Is there anything I can do for you… today?
This is so beautiful. Let’s live here.How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
His complete conciet and selfishness gives way to a caring, adjusted, and agile person who values others
What is the Profound Truth of this movie?
We can be happy right where we are by looking outwards and living life to the fullest
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Tamera Raines analysis of Groundhog Day:
WhatI learned from doing this assignment is: how you can take a simple concept and add multiple layers to create deep and profound meaning.
What makes this a transformational movie:we get to experience Phil’s personality change from being a self centered boxed in man to becoming a compassionate,caring human being who is motivated by having concern for others. This causes the viewer to look at their own life and reevaluate what is important and how you treat others has a direct connection to your own happiness.
The change agent could be Rita as she has a certain vulnerability that is relatable and she motivates Phil to be a better man. It could also be Phil or the town and the town’s people.
Phil is the transformable Character who makes the change and he is the perfect person for this because he is relatable, he is stuck in a rut in his life and is deeply depressed and a total jerk to others , and you can tell that he has a lot more to offer and he needs an awakening, he has a vulnerability to him that is just below the surface, that deep inside he wants to connect and be loved.
The oppression is the fact that he is stuck in time and the blizzard that traps him.
We are lured into the Journey because we want to see what he does next and we connect to him having to accept that he is stuck , we experience his failures and successes as he starts to grow and learn in fun and interesting ways. I think his relationships and actions cause us to connect to the story.
His old ways of only caring about himself and feeling sorry for himself shift as he begins to learn that his happiness is dependent on caring about and connecting to everyone around him and helping others become happy which makes him a happier and more confident man. “Helping other people is a way to make your own life more complete and happy. “
The gradient of change thro his daily routines he try’s different things he learns new skills, he learns all about individual people, he takes risks , he learns and grows. He starts to interact in a caring and compassionate way to lift others up. You start to see how your actions affect the lives of everyone around you.
A profound moment was when he realized that the homeless man was about to die and he starts caring about him and trying to save him.
A profound moment when Rita bids every dime she has on him at the auction because she finally sees him for who he truly is .
Profound lines:
Ned – “Watch out for that first step, it’s a doozy “
Phil – “what if there is no tomorrow, there wasn’t one today “
Bar guys:
“Your glass is half empty “
Rita “I could never love someone like you because you only love yourself”
Phil “it’s going to be cold, grey and last you the rest of your life”
The ending the clock strikes 6 AM and Rita is in bed with Phil it’s a new day and they step outside and he wants them to live there , his journey to compassion and love is complete.
The profound truth of the movie is that we are all intertwined and our actions with others creat our own reality and helping others is the key to a happy life. -
Stephanie Henry-Ricchi’s Analysis of Groundhog Day
What I learned from this lesson is looking at the same thing with a different perspective will ultimately make me see the depth in a movie, that I even thought was just a scripted comedy.
1) The CHANGE and TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY of this movie was Phil Connors life change from self absorbed to a giving person.
2) LEAD CHARACTERS: The CHANGE AGENT was Rita because when Phil started loving her unconditionally, that love made him change. If she hadn’t been who she was each day, the main change would not have happened. Rita made him want to be a better man.
Phil was definitely the TRANSFORMATIONAL CHARACTER. It had to be Phil to deliver the message because he had the most profound arc as he changed from egocentric into a selfless and caring man.
3) I was LURED into this movie and could CONNECT because we have all known the kind of person Phil was with his cynical, shallow and at times, rude behavior. I was curious to see how many times it would take for him to become a better man.
<font face=”inherit”>4) Phil OLD WAYS of interacting with all the repeat </font>characters<font face=”inherit”> that appeared each day caused his change to be the greatest. Each of the characters were repeatedly kind and unchanging, so he knew it was himself that needed to change. The NEW WAYS were his relationship to each person, each new day.</font>
<font face=”inherit”>5) The GRADIENT CHANGE for me was the emotions that I watched Phil go through in the STEPS</font><font face=”inherit”>; snobby, self-righteous, </font>cynical, annoyed and rude to humble, kind, vulnerable and caring.
6) The OLD WAYS were challenged by the simple way humanity is on a daily, routine day and how Phil started living out his “bucket list” when he used the time wisely.
7) The most PROFOUND MOMENT was the interactions with the homeless man and especially when he tried to save his life numerous times.
8) The most PROFOUND LINE of the movie for me was; ” sometimes people just die”
9) The ENDING PAYOFF was set up first by the emptiness of Phil’s life into the fullness of life he attained in the end.
10) The PROFOUND TRUTH was TRUTH itself.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Stephanie Henry-Ricchi.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by
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Erin Ziccarelli’s Analysis of Groundhog Day
What I learned from doing this assignment: I have a new appreciation for this movie. I’ve seen it once before, but I thought it was more comedy than dramatic/profound. Mapping out the gradient of change makes the process much less intimidating and easier to understand.
What is the CHANGE this movie is
about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?Getting out of a rut. From the same day everyday (literally) to making every day a new day. Going from being miserable to wanting to change things by making the day better. For the audience, the message is that we have the power to make our day better.
Lead characters:
Who is the Change
Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right
character to cause the change? Rita – they both
want something more in their lives, and she won’t settle for less.Who is the
Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes
them the right character to deliver this profound journey?Phil – goes from
being a victim to improving his life and others’ lives.What is the
Oppression?Groundhog Day –
won’t “leave him alone,” no escape.<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>How are we lured into the profound
journey? What causes us to connect with this story?· Connection with audience: we go on this journey because we’ve all felt stuck in a rut before, or like nothing we’ve done matters, like a bad day won’t ever end. We are intrigued and wondering if he will ever get out of his groundhog day rut.
· Relatability
o Main character doesn’t love a part of his job, has been stuck in the same position for at least four years, doesn’t think he has a future
o Character is “just a weatherman,” average-looking guy
o He hates this holiday and must act enthusiastic about it for the cameras, he’s putting on a façade
o Annoying things happen on his way to work (steps in the puddle, sees an annoying person who won’t stop talking to him)
o He’s stuck in a rut – his least favorite day in his least favorite place, no one believes him
o We’ve all been or met a “glass is half empty” type
· Intrigue
o Why does Phil dislike groundhog day so much?
o Is it really groundhog day? Is someone playing a joke on him?
o Will he ever stop reliving groundhog day?
o Will Phil and Rita “make it” – make it past Groundhog day? Will there be a night where she doesn’t slap him across the face?
o What will happen if Phil ever wakes up from Groundhog day? Will everything go back to normal?
Looking at the character(s) who are
changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new
way of being.”Identify their
old way: nothing matters, Phil is stuck in a rut, slogging through life, pessimistic,
takes Rita and his job for granted, hates Puxatony
Identify their
new way at the conclusion: Phil has taken control of his life and his
relationships, he loves Puxatony, he has improved himself and become a
better person, he and Rita have a genuine connection, she believes he is “worth”
itWhat is the gradient the change?
What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were
changing?The transformation: Phil must go from moving through life to engaging in life. Helping others and making every day mean something.
· Phil hates everything, cynical, sarcastic, doesn’t know how to have a good time
· Phil thinks he’s super important and everyone needs to cater to him
· Having an “off day,” confused by the world
· Purposefully makes every day not count – acts recklessly and does whatever he wants because tomorrow doesn’t matter
· Phil shows interest in Rita, memorizes all her “lines” so she will like him, they have a good time together, he becomes more likeable and less narcissistic
· Phil starts enjoying every day, he’s nicer to his colleagues, starts improving himself for real (not just saying the right things to get Rita to like him), takes piano lessons, creates an ice sculpture
· Phil starts trying to change each day for others – trying to make their day better rather than just his own day
· Phil has an active roll in the town, everyone loves him (highlighted through no one wanting to “buy” his colleague including his date because he’s shallow)
· Phil turns the worst day into the best day
· Gradient: pessimistic, self-centered, reckless, shallow, superficially nice, ready to end it (overdoes it), improves himself, improves life for others, best person in the town/wins Rita’s heart
How is the “old way” challenged?
What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their
perspective…and make the change?· Phil thinks he has no future, his time in Puxatony only confirms that mindset
· He’s narcissistic – but then begins to look at every day differently after he is forced to repeat every day
· Starting mystery: what does every day mean to you?
o More powerful question: what do you want out of life? How can each day matter and help build up to a meaningful long-term?
· His world is called into question (by the days repeating themselves) – he’s forced to deal with the worst day every day
· Rita challenges his old ways – by learning what she wants in a man, he becomes more of a romantic, nicer, more admiring of Rita, always knows what to say
· Can he make each day better? Every day is a new chance to improve the day.
What are the most profound moments
of the movie?· The first groundhog day – 6 more weeks of winter
· Phil treating his repeat days from recklessly (overeating, drunk driving, getting thrown in jail, smoking, drinking)
· Phil and Rita’s scene at the diner – he asks her what she wants from life
· Snowman scene – cute scene with the two of them having a good time, their first “romantic” encounter, their time together later that night
· Phil tries to die so he won’t have to relive groundhog day
· Rita believes Phil and they connect, then he starts trying to make every day count
· Phil helping the townspeople, being humble about it
· Rita “buys” Phil, she’s the highest bidder
· The night before he wakes up on December 3<sup>rd</sup> – Phil is very genuine to Rita, he wants the night to last forever
· The morning after – he loves Puxatony
What are the most profound lines of
the movie?· What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today.
· What would you do, if you were stuck in one place, and every day was exactly the same, and nothing you could say, and nothing you could do, mattered? That about sums it up for me.
· It’s the same story your whole life.
· I’m not going to live by their rules anymore! You make choices and you live with them.
· If you only had one day to live, what would you do with it?
· It’s the perfect day. You wouldn’t plan a day like this.
· I’m a god – I’m not the god, but I’m a god…I am an immortal.
· Is this what you do with eternity?
· Anything different is good.
· Today is tomorrow.
· It was the end of a very long day.
How does the ending payoff the
setups of this movie?· Phil ends up loving Puxatony and being the most popular guy in town
· His actions include developing a connection with Rita, improving himself, helping his colleagues and saving the people of Puxatony
· He wants every day to be better – he wants every day to mean something, or for everyone else around him to have a good day
What is the Profound Truth of this
movie?· Every day is a precious/unique experience, each day matters and is a chance to make tomorrow better
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I found the PROFOUND MODEL for “The Matrix” as well as the 10 questions? If you scroll all the way down, you will see a Word Doc as well as the questions. It took me a while to find it ( I thought it would be in a separate file). So just letting you know in case anyone missed it like me 🙂
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Caryn Ward Ross.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by
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I am not able to paste my answers here.
Please advise.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Wayne Petitto. Reason: Wayne Petitto’s Analysis of Groundhog Day What I learned from this lesson is why Groundhog Day was so successful as a studio investment and as a movie. It is a charactures of transformation itself by repeating the same day for everyone accept the protagonist as though time stopped in a short loop until he had no other way but to sincerely change his ways. 1. What is the Transformational Journey of this movie? Phil is trapped in an endless loop of Groundhog day until he makes a specific change in his life. 2. Lead characters: o Change Agent: Groundhog Day that will repeat seemingly endlessly. o Transformable Character: Phil the weatherman. o Why the right character? He’s obnoxious and desperately need to change. o What is the Oppression? The same day repeating itself endlessly. 3. How are we lured in, and what causes us to connect? How extremely Phil is egotistical we enjoy seeing him suffer (at first). 4. Character(s) who are changed the most: Phil who must make a change to end the spell. What is the profound journey? His “old ways” was to be completely self-centered egotistical ass. His “new way” at the conclusion waws to sincerely care about others more than himself. 5. The gradient the change? He went through the usual steps to acceptance (and then some) Denial: Couldn’t believe it, tried to explain it away. Anger: punches old classmate, lashes out, becomes even worse of a person, etc. Bargaining: Starts to find ways to take advantage of the situation and people. Uses the situation to get things he wants, sex, money, etc. Depression: To the point of multiple suicides. Acceptance: Uses the advantage of knowing everything & everyone to gain acclaim & trust, but not satisfactory. Discovers he loves Rita. Tries all his learned ways to impress her, but is not sincere about her, only for himself. Finally, he discovers that he can sincerely help the town’s people unselfishly (even if the kid he saves never says thanks) and that includes caring for Rita and exposing his vulnerability to her… THEN the change is complete, and time can go on. 6. How is the “old way” challenged? He simply is destined to repeat the day until he self improves and begins to enjoy the “simple people” and sincere life helping others. After trying all other kinds of life and advantages, he finds satisfaction in being sincerely nice, not just actin the part. 7. Profound moments of the movie? The first repeat wakeup. His first suicide (killing his old ways). Discovering he cares for Rita. Playing piano as the life of the party. Waking up with Rita still there. 8. What are the most profound lines of the movie? “Ya make your choices and ya live with them.” Oh, same old, same old.” “The first time I saw you something happened to me.” “Today is tomorrow!” 9. How ending pays off: 6:00 AM but Rita’s there and everything is different! “Today is tomorrow!” Phil is a completely new man, in love, and loving life! 10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie? Life can’t go on without a sincere change of self
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by
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What I learned from this class: There are a lot of great writers in this class. I learned more from the comments than the class!! I look forward to more comments!!!
I believe the CHANGE AGENT was time. There every morning to be him into the reality he had only 24 hours of life experiences before he started over again the next morning. He had no availability to build for a future, develop relationships, or enjoy many aspects of life.
I learned that PROFOUND is something that can just drip into a story, can become apparent to us viewers until the main character gets it which brings us into a satisfying conclusion.
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We are looking at this movie from the perspective of the change that occurs for the lead character and the audience.
I’m reminded how important layering is in story to get from the beginning to end.
What is the CHANGE this movie
is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?The change is that we can create the lives we want. Phil makes several starts and stops until he creates the live he wants. It takes him a while to figure out. We also see a glimpse that he doesn’t believe he deserves the kind of life he wants, so he doesn’t even try.
Lead characters:
Who is
the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the
right character to cause the change?At first it’s the repeating day. It forces Phil to relive his life and rethink his choice. Rita, who becomes Phil’s source of affection, also acts as a Change Agent because she shows him what a good life is.
Who is
the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes
them the right character to deliver this profound journey?Phil is the Transformable Character. The movie focuses on him so we know he is the one taking the journey
What is
the Oppression?The day repeating itself. Phil also kind of the oppression with his beliefs about himself and not deserving happiness. His exterior is a shield he uses to protect himself.
How are we lured into the
profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?When Phil is at the bowling alley, he tells the two drunk guys that he’s stuck in the same day, doing the same exact thing and nothing he does can change that. He asks what would you do if this were happening to you? Lots of people feel that they are living lives that are repetitious or meaningless, and they can’t seem to break out of the sameness to do something that matters.
Looking at the character(s) who
are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to
“new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the
conclusion:Phil is self-absorbed at the beginning. He also doesn’t believe he deserves the life he wants and uses his obnoxious behavior to keep people at bay. At the end, he is starting to help other people, and they actually matter to him. He also has figured out how to be happy and maybe that he deserves that happiness.
What is the gradient the
change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they
were changing?He changes into a person who thinks of others. With the first woman (can’t remember her name), he does everything to get her into bed and then dumps her. He keeps calling Rita’s name and realizes he may have feelings for her. He keeps going to her for help. He also tries to do the same thing to Rita by learning what she likes and using it to his advantage. He whispers to her while she is sleeping that the first time he saw her he wanted to hold her. That’s when we find out he didn’t believe he deserved a good relationship. He tries to kill himself several times but realizes that is not the answer. After that his attitude changes, he starts helping others instead of himself: giving money to the old man, bringing coffee and donuts to his co-workers, carries their equipment, and cares about his job. When the old man dies, he finds a way to save the man. He becomes versatile and well rounded: learning to play the piano and ice sculpting. He helps people wherever he finds them in trouble.
How is the “old way”
challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to
shift their perspective…and make the change?He realizes the old way is not working: being self-absorbed, callous towards women, shutting everyone out. He begins to believe he deserves this (although we don’t see as much about this) but also that his days can be better than “cold and gray.” He has an opportunity to have a real life.
What are the most profound
moments of the movie?When he realizes that his real life is made up of repetitive days no matter what he tries; when he realizes that days aren’t perfect, when he realizes they don’t have to be cold and gray; and when he realizes that he can be happy; the he doesn’t have to follow everyone else’s rules and can make his own choices; when Rita tells him that everybody worries about something
What are the most profound
lines of the movie?When he’s talking about every day was exactly the same (paraphrased) and he questions “What would you do?”
That days are “cold, gray and last the rest of your life”
“I know your face so well I could have done it with my eyes closed.”
He knows that “no matter what happens tomorrow or for the rest of my life, I’m happy now because I love you.” He was talking about Rita, but it could be that he has decided that about himself.
“Today is tomorrow.”
How does the ending payoff the
setups of this movie?He has returned to his real life a changed man.
What is the Profound Truth of
this movie?The Profound Truth is that we can all make the changes we want in our lives, if we try.
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What I learned from doing this assignment is the power of accepting what IS and living in the NOW moment. It taught me to appreciate the small things and people in my life, and to not take anything for granted ( small things are actually big things). It also highlighted for me that when we get out of our little bubble and help other people, life has more meaning. I am seeing that the “little” gestures of help can mean the world ( and in some cases, be life saving) for other people.
The CHANGE this movie is about being selfish, condescending, shut down and guarded to being open, vulnerable, caring and kind. The TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY is going from living in a small, self-absorbed bubble and thinking you don’t make a difference, to a person who thinks more of himself and others.
2. The CHANGE AGENT is Rita, who embodies unconditional love and acceptance, as well as optimism and a zest for life. The OPPRESSION is the cyclical nature of his life. The same, predictable things occurring every single day -the blizzard.
3. What causes us to CONNECT TO THE STORY- Phil is cynical and can’t see the gift of the day (moment). Phil is us. Phil goes through the motions of life, ensnarled in the mundanity of it. As we all are too -“same shit, different day” mentality.
4. Phil changed the most-old way: — self-absorbed, self-serving, arrogant and mean to people. Phil is guarded and unwilling to be vulnerable and connect to people. The new way, generous, helpful, sensitive, loving and kind open to being vulnerable and having a meaningful connect.
-Rita changed—she didn’t like Phil because he “only loves himself”. To seeing him as a caring, ope, compassionate man whom she could fall in love with.
-Larry, the camera man changed as well—he went from despising Phil, and thinking hr is a “Prima Donna”, to liking him and being on Phil’s side.
5. THE GRADIENT OF CHANGE:
Phil is confused
Phil tests it out ( pencil on alarm)
Phil confides in Rita, asks for his help
Phil seeks help, medical doctor and then a psychiatrist
Phil has a pity party ( “why can’t I get that day over and over”)
Phil lives recklessly ( nothing does matter and there are no consequences) “We could do whatever we want” -Phil drives recklessly, hits mailboxes, goes on a wild car chase with the police, Phil ends up in jail.
Phil accepts/confirms there are no consequences and says he’ll stay an extra day —
Phil learns the rules of the new world —he punches Ned and does NOT step in the puddle
Phil throws caution to the wind —eats whatever he wants, smokes “ I don’t worry about anything anymore”
Phil manipulates people ( secures a date, robs a bank)
Phil tries to end it all
6. “Old way” beliefs are that the world is centered around him, the mundanity of life, no excitement or appreciation for each new day
7. Profound moments of the movie include the times Phil and Rita were in the diner, and when Phil finally gave the homeless man money.
8. “Only God can make a tree” and “ No matter what happens tomorrow, or the rest of my life, I am happy”
9. It pays everything off because Phil became a whole new person, he helped the sales agent school mate, opened himself up tp love and being loved and realized he can use his life in service of good for other people.
10. When we accept what is and live in the NOW then everything because new and possible.
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