Lesson 1

[Mary Albanese]

Subject: Mary Albanese’s Analysis of GROUNDHOG DAY

WHAT I LEARNED: I found the transformational steps (the gradient of change) the most interesting as these steps make up the bulk of the movie’s context and subtext.

We are looking at this movie from the perspective of the change that occurs for the lead character and the audience.

1. What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational
Journey of this movie?

Phil transforms from a selfish prima donna to a man who unselfishly gives to others. He goes from being concerned with status and fame to someone who is simply happy in the moment being with the woman he loves.

2. Lead characters:

Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change)
and what makes this the right character to cause the change? RITA – she’s
the one that Phil realizes right from the start is special. But he
doesn’t dare let her know.
Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes
the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this
profound journey? Selfish Phill, obsessed with his status and position.
What is the Oppression? The time loop Phil finds
himself stuck in. <div>

3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to
connect with this story? The surprise of the time loop, and how Phil
handles being stuck in it.

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 goes from being a
selfish jerk to someone who derives joy from helping others.

What is the gradient the change?

5. What steps did the Transformational
Character go through as they were changing?

A. Phil’s first step upon entering the new world is SHOCK at being stuck in the time loop.

B. Then he REALIZES that whatever he does has no consequences, so he lets his cruelty run wild.

C. Then he decides to use the time loop to his advantage and impress others, including a pretty woman.

D. But when he realizes that she isn’t the one he wants, he uses his time loop powers to try to trick the woman he does love – Rita – into loving him. But she sees through his tricks.

E. Hopelessness. Afraid to again be rebuffed by Rita he tries to kill himself in all kinds of different ways.

F. When that doesn’t work, he flips to another extreme and tries multiple acts of kindness, as if doing good deeds will make him deserving of escaping the time loop.

G. He finally lets go of his fear and tells Rita the truth in an honest way that she believes.

H. But it’s still not enough. He must not only tell Rita the truth but find joy and peace within himself just quietly embracing this great love he feels for her.

6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that
cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?

At first, his celebrity and status is who he believes he is. It’s his identity. But all his old crankiness, and his new tricks do not release him from the time loop. It seems that he could be stuck in this time loop forever. There must be a way out, so he tries different strategies. After his destructive phase, he learns new skills to become a better person externally. But nothing works until he is transformed from within. Once he is transformed, he sheds his selfish ways like a snake shedding its skin and becomes is a new person who finds delight in kind and simple joys.

7. What are the most profound moments of the movie?

One is when he accidentally calls the woman he woos “Rita.” It is our first inkling that he cares about someone besides himself.

Another profound moment – when he admits to himself before a sleeping Rita that the first time he saw her, he felt something powerful stir inside him.

Rita says she could never love him because he only loves himself. He replies that isn’t true, because he doesn’t even like himself. This reveals that he is a man in crisis who doesn’t believe in himself.

Another profound moment is when he finally admits that he loves Rita.

Another is when he can’t save the old homeless man, because sometimes a person’s time is up. He can’t accept that – that he can’t make a difference, which spurs him harder into trying to make a difference.

8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?

“I don’t see any way out.” This is Phil expressing his hopelessness, which drives him to desperate and destructive acts.

“I don’t even like myself.” This is Phil revealing his feelings of unworthiness.

“The worst part is that tomorrow you will have forgotten all about this day and you’ll treat me like a jerk again. It’s okay. I am a jerk.” Again, a character who doesn’t believe he is worthy.

He can’t say it to her when she’s awake, but while she’s asleep he says: “The first time I saw you, you did something to me. But I couldn’t tell you.”

In the same way, he tells her that: “You are the kindest, sweetest, prettiest person I ever met in my life.” This is Phil’s early brush with vulnerability, but it is so hard for him to do it he can’t say it to her when she’s awake.

“I don’t deserve someone like you. But if I could, I’d never let you go for the rest of my life.”

Finally, he lets down his guard and becomes honest with her. And at last, he can not only admit his feelings but embrace them when he says: “No matter what happens tomorrow, I’m happy now because I love you.”

“Is there anything I can do for you today?” This is quite a different attitude than Phil’s extreme selfishness at the beginning of the film. It shows the extent of his change from selfishness to selflessness.

9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?

Phil’s honesty and transformation have touched Rita so much that she falls in love with him, too. At the end he not only escapes the time loop, but they now have each other. AND he appreciates the simple joys of rural life so much that he suggests they move to po-dunk Pennsylvania permanently.

10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

If you live only for your own selfish needs, you will not grow or go anywhere (emotionally) and you will be stuck. It is only when you care for others and embrace your love for others that you can move forward and truly live.

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• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Mary Albanese.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Mary Albanese.

[Sunil Pappu]

Sunil Pappu’s Analysis of Groundhog Day

“What I learned doing this assignment is… there can be profound meaning in a comedy and even if the message is a cliché if delivered well though a gradient of change it can have a powerful impact on the audience.”

———————QUESTIONS FOR THE MOVIE——————-

We are looking at this movie from the perspective of the change that occurs for the lead character and the audience.

1. What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?

CHANGE: from trying to do the bare minimum to living each moment to the fullest;

Transformational Journey: Phil from a snooty weatherman to a humble helpful member of the small town of Punxsutawney

2. Lead characters:

o Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?

Rita – whose love he seeks; forces the change.

o 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 – first, he makes superficial changes learning to manipulate her feelings, but she sees through the superficiality; in the end, when he no longer wants to just impress her and genuinely builds relationships with everyone, she falls for him.

o What is the Oppression?

To relive the same day every day stuck in a small town one hates.

3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?

Old ways: Phil is a bit of a diva – gets the job he wants; the producer he chooses and the hotel he wants to stay at; gets the attention of the town folk; looks down on the homeless; hides from his old schoolmate; curses the simpletons who celebrate a worthless festival every year honouring a groundhog (a glorified rat).

How we connect: This is how most of us see our daily lives – a seemly meaningless cycle of pretence and unhappiness.

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:

Old Ways: to try and get by each day with pretence and self-importance

New Ways: to see each day as an opportunity to make the most of it and build relationships, work on self-improvement and give joy to others

5. What is the gradient of the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?

The gradient of change:

Denial: Refuses to believe that he’s reliving the same day and thinks he must have gone crazy; even gets an MRI and seeks psychiatric help.

Victimhood: tries to sell his sob story to two drunks who are willing to listen to him

Swings to the extreme: who cares about the consequences of our actions if there is no tomorrow to answer for? He vandalizes the mailboxes, gives a police car a chase, drives onto the railway tracks towards a speeding train; jokes with an officer and gets thrown in jail

Manipulation: He takes advantage of people like Nancy by remembering facts about them and manipulating them and gets her to sleep with him

Goes after his prize: He tries to woo Rita using his manipulation, but she sees through his superficiality each time. He gets dejected and bitter.

Gives up: He tries to kill himself using various means and doesn’t succeed.

Learning curve: He learns things because they are fun to do and he wants to do them because he likes helping people.

Ultimate Test: Rita follows him one day and realizes he is quite the town hero and falls for him and decides to stay with him through the night. He is humble about his achievements and doesn’t do them to show off but because it makes him feel good and he likes helping people.

Transformation Tested: He wakes up to tomorrow and is thankful for the day. He wants to live in the small town.

6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?

Old ways are challenged – He still can’t get Rita to sleep with him and she sees through him every time.

7. What are the most profound moments of the movie?

Phil wakes up to the same day.

Phil is able to predict the answers on jeopardy and impresses the old folk in the room.

Phil wrecks the town and faces no consequences for his actions

Phil genuinely becomes a good artist and musician

Rita is not impressed with Phil despite his best efforts

Phil tries to kill himself in multiple ways

Phil becomes a genuinely caring person in the end

Last line: “Today is tomorrow.”

8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?

Phil tells Rita: “What if there would be no tomorrow?”

Cheers to: “World peace of course!”

The psychiatrist asks Phil to set his next appointment date: “How is tomorrow for you?”

Tells Rita: “I don’t deserve someone like you. But if I could, I’d never let you go for the rest of my life.”

Finally, he’s figured it out: “I think I’m god!”

In the end, he says to Rita: “No matter what happens tomorrow, I’m happy now because I love you.”

Last line: “Today is tomorrow”

9. How does the ending pay off the setups of this movie?

Phil hates the small-town mentality and can’t wait to get back to his city life but ends up wanting to live there in the end because of the relationships he has built in town.

10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

We need to make the most of every moment of every day and build relationships with everyone and we need to be honest about it and make efforts to be our best.

[Deb Johnson]

Deb’s Analysis of Groundhog Day

What I learned doing this assignment:

This is one of my favorite movies. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen it. Many years ago, I attended a screenwriting conference and had a chance to meet Danny Rubin and talk to him about his screenplay (a very exciting experience for me!). I’ve studied it for structure and comedy, but never from this “profound” model. So very enlightening to see the whole movie from a different perspective. I see how the profound model works and how it played out in this film.

1. What is the CHANGE?

An egocentric jerk transforms into a selfless caring man and learns what true love is.

2. Lead characters:

Change Agent: Rita – genuine, smart, compassionate.

Transformable Character: Phil – egocentric, arrogant, rude, no compassion

3. How are we lured in? What causes us to connect?

· Most people can identify with the frustration of doing the same things repeatedly and not finding fulfillment or success.

· Phil is ‘harassed/annoyed’ by Ned – we all have “Neds” in our lives.

· Phil accidentally steps in a puddle – a common frustration

· Phil has a job he doesn’t like – like most people

· Phil is trapped in traffic/snowstorm – we’ve all experienced being stuck in a place we hate.

· Phil takes a cold shower – it’s happened to most of us.

· Finally – the repetition of Groundhog Day happening over and over again draws us in and we wonder ‘what is Phil going to do?’

4. Old ways to New ways:

Old: Phil is sarcastic. He insults people. Thinks he’s better than everyone else – and doesn’t want to be around others. He doesn’t want to participate in the party or engage with the people around him.

New: Is humble and goes out of his way to help people. He’s warm and complimentary of others. He knows everyone personally and is the life of the party.

5. Steps of Change:

· Doesn’t “live by the rules” – does whatever he wants with no consequences.

· Manipulates the system – picks up women and uses them.

· Becomes tired of this lifestyle and realizes he just wants Rita.

· Constructs an entire day to manipulate Rita into loving him – but is ultimately rejected.

· Becomes angry and despondent – tries to kill himself (many times)

· Finally honest with Rita – admits he’s a jerk – professes his love for her – wants to be worthy of her.

· Wakes up with new purpose to become a better man (on his own – without Rita). Reads, learns to play the piano, learns to ice sculpt, helps a homeless man.

· When he can’t save the homeless man from dying, he realizes he’s not God.

· His final “day” he delivers a perfect broadcast, helps the community in various ways, and plays the piano for Rita – now she is interested in him and “buys” him. His transformation is complete.

6. How are old ways challenged? What beliefs are challenged?

Phil learns the following things don’t bring contentment or satisfaction:

· “Breaking the rules” and hurting others.

· Living for self and manipulating women. (The woman he really wants won’t be manipulated)

· Even death won’t end his misery.

7. Profound movie moments:

· How he learns to handle Ned

· How he learns compassion with the homeless man

· How he learns to be transformative in his own work as a weatherman

· How he learns to be helpful to others around him

· And most importantly – how he finally learns what it means to love Rita – by giving of himself and asking for nothing in return.

8. Profound movie lines:

Phil: “What would you do if you were stuck in one place, and everything was the same and nothing you did mattered.”

Ralph: “That about sums it up for me.”

Phil: “I’m not gonna live by their rules anymore; you make choices, and you live with em’.”

Rita: (quoting Sir Walter Scott) “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, unhonoured, and unsung.”

Rita: “This day has been one long set up. You’ll never love anyone but yourself.”

Phil: “I am a god.”

Rita: “Is this what you do with eternity?”

Phil: “Now you know.”

Phil: “The first time I saw you something happened to me. I don’t deserve someone like you, but if I could, I swear I would love you the rest of my life.”

Nurse: “Sometimes people just die.”

Phil: “Not today.”

Rita: “I bought you; I own you.”

Phil: “Today is tomorrow. Is there anything I can do for you today?”

9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?

Every engagement Phil has from the beginning of the movie is addressed at the end – where he once treated people with disdain, he now treats them with respect and love.

Including: Rita, Larry, Buster, Mrs. Lancaster, Man in Hallway, Ned, Nancy, Gus & Ralph, and the Old Man.

10. What is the Profound Truth?

True love is based on compassion and self-sacrifice, not manipulation and self-indulgence.

[Teresita Fernandez]

Analysis: Groundhog Day

What I learned by this assignment is how important it is to define the transformable character’s journey in my own screenplay, to engage my audience to become emotionally invested in the journey of self-awareness and capture the essence of what I am trying to reveal to them.

1- The CHANGE this movie is about is a shift in the expectations and the predictability of our daily lives.

The Transformational Journey occurs in Phil, who at first believes people are “morons” then realizes their humanity through the process of self-awareness.

2- The Change Agent is Rita. She is an optimist that sparks the change in Phil, a pessimist who doesn’t love himself.

The Transformable Character is Phil. Nothing mattered to him until everything did.

The Oppression is the predictability of Phil’s daily life in Punxsutawney.

3- We are lured into the profound journey through Phil reliving the same day over and over as we place ourselves in that situation and ask, “What if that were to happen to me?”

4- We connect to this story through Phil’s frustration and eventually through his journey of self-awareness.

5- Phil is transformed by being shallow and cocky to becoming considerate and selfless.

6- His opinion of people changes dramatically, sparked by his interest in Rita and being given a second, third, fourth, etc, chance of improving his self worth. The steps he takes is going from his focus on himself entirely to the focus on others through acts of love and genuine care. He went from caring about no one to caring about everyone, especially Rita.

7- Phil learns from his mistakes as he fails over and over again and at first tries to change himself completely to become a person well suited for Rita. When this doesn’t work because he’s not genuine, he loses all hope and wants to end his life, the monotony of being Phil over and over again ends in self-hate. When he starts to learn things about himself, talents and abilities to be kind and giving, he learns to love himself and therefore learns to loves others, mainly Rita. A self-proclaimed jerk turns into someone that appreciates himself.

8- I found the most profound moments to be when we see Phil finally connecting with himself and loving who he is- his musical talents, the ability to speak another language, acting upon his ability to save people, becoming a humanitarian, giving without expecting anything in return which results in Rita falling in love with him, the best version of Phil.

9- The most profound lines are those that touch upon truth and reality, those simple yet hard core words that reveal truth and unveils an opportunity for growth- “I’m a god”, “I’m a jerk”, for example. Also, when Rita recites the poem by Sir Walter Scott about a “wretch”. Very powerful.

10-The ending pays off the set ups in the movie due to the repetitive trial and error of daily life until Phil encounters his true self, values his self worth and allows himself to love others.

11- The profound truth of this movie is that daily life is an opportunity to learn and become the best version of ourselves.

[Sharon Axcell]

Sharon Axcell’s analysis of Groundhog Day

What I learned: Messages appear all the way through the story, but they don’t have to be ‘in your face’. But sometimes, they do! Don’t shy away from it. They can be in lines, or actions. And the gradient doesn’t necessarily have to be linear.

1. What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?
Going from living a boring, unfulfilled, disdainful life (prima donna) to being the one who positively affects all those around him with his unselfish love.
Going from being egocentric (“I know you’re egocentric, it’s your defining characteristic”), bitter and twisted, uninspired to grateful and inspiring.
For the audience: From being self-centred and ego-centric to embracing love – give and you shall receive.

2. Lead characters:

o Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?
Rita.

o Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?
Phil.

o What is the Oppression?
Punxutawney/ Groundhog Day/ his situation.

3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?

Phil’s so obnoxious, we want him to change. And we see people around him putting up with him – we can relate to both how they feel, but also the drudgery of what Phil is doing on a daily basis – so we do empathise somewhat.

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: Egocentric, selfish, bitter to being in love, with Rita, self and life.

5. What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?
– Egocentric
– Selfish
– Manipulative (being what he thinks others want to get what he wants)
– Frustration/ despair/ anger
– Desperation/ Crazy (death is better than living this over and over)
– Resignation
– Appreciation for others (forced)
– (He thinks) He loves Rita for who she is – actually loves her selflessly.
– He does what HE wants. He helps others – embraces the day. And others. And learning stuff. Reading, instruments. Giving to others. Learning to love himself first.
– Learns that what he does doesn’t necessarily affect things – i.e. the dying guy.
– Attracting others with his actions. Undertaking doing things that make HIM feel good. Loving himself.
– He’s the shining light. Popular.

6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?
“Old Way” is challenged by repeating situations, and Phil having to deal with them again and again – and so he changes and evolves the way he deals with them.

7. What are the most profound moments of the movie?
The wakeup song – I got you, babe.
On Day 3, when Phil talks to the two guys he previously dismissed in the café. They’re in the bowling alley, and they have a profound discussion about “What would you do if you were stuck in one place, and nothing you did mattered?” “That about sums it up for me.”
And then Phil drives them – his first unselfish behaviour, really.
When he first learns to appreciate the daily re-do. But it’s all selfish, superficial stuff.
He sits with Rita, “So what do you want out of life anyway?” The point is, he’s asking her for the first time.
When Phil tries it on with Rita, learning what she wants, and then it STILL doesn’t work to get her into bed.
All those slaps! (midpoint)
When they’re playing cards/hat in the room.
And when he realises he’s having a good time just ‘being’ with Rita in the room.
When he tries to keep the old guy alive. And fails.
Profundity during his presentation. Engaged, learned, humble.
When he does things that make him feel good, then it attracts others, and everyone’s happy. He’s a shining light.

8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
“It’s Groundhog Day!”
“I had a really good day (description). Why couldn’t I get that day, over and over?”
“You know, some people describe this glass as half empty, and others as half full. I think you’re a glass is half empty kinda guy, am I right?”
“What would you do, if you were stuck in one place, and nothing you did mattered?” “That about sums it up for me.”
“What would you do if there were no tomorrow?” “There would be no consequences, we could do whatever we wanted!” “That’s true! We could do whatever we want!”
“You make choices, and you live with them.”
Rita’s line: “The wretch, concentred all in self, living, shall forfeit fair renown, and doubly dying shall go down to the vile dust from whence he sprung, unwept, unhonoured, and unsung. Sir Walter Scott. (The Lay of the Last Minstrel, 1805.)
“You could never love anyone else Phil because you’ll never love anyone but yourself.” “That’s not true, I don’t even like myself.”
When they’re playing card/hat in the room – “Is this what you do for eternity?”
“Maybe it’s not a curse. It just depends on how you look at it.”
“No matter what happens now, or for the rest of my life, I’m happy now. Because I love you.”
“You know what today is? Today is tomorrow.”
“Is there anything I can do for you? Today?”

9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
They all come together in one situation that moves the story on into the new world.
The snow – is a key change.
The lack of people outside the window – no Groundhog Day “tomorrow”.
The presence of Rita now in his life – and how she now feels about him.
His popularity because of what he’s done that day, and who he (hopefully) now is.

10. What
is the Profound Truth of this movie?
Happiness is love. Yourself first, and also embracing others with no
expectations, and they will love you, too. Give, and you shall receive.

[Robert Kerr]

Bob Kerr’s analysis of GROUNDHOG DAY

What I learned from this assignment: regardless of the genre, there is an opportunity to deliver a profound message that is also entertaining for the audience.

1. What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?

The change is the transformation of Phil from a self-loathing individual who relies n his celebrity to provide a sense of power to becoming a fully integrated human being that loves himself and is capable of loving others, especially his love for Rita.

2. Lead Characters:

The Change Agent: Rita

The Transformational Character: Phil

The Oppression: Phil’s own self loathing

3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with the story.

Part of the lure is the familiarity of the setting. Groundhog Day still is a media darling every February 2. What causes us to connect is the reality that everyone secretly wishes they could relive a day and correct all the mistakes they believe they made.

4. Looking at the characters, who are changed the most? What is the “profound Journey? Identify the “Old Ways” to the “New Ways”

It is a toss-up between Phil & Rita. Phil makes a very profound change from his self-absorbed egotistical way to being a loving and contributing member of a community.

Rita changes as well. She learns the old lesson of never judge a book by its cover.

5. What’s the gradient of change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?

The “Gradient of Change” is both psychological and spiritual. Phi has to struggle as he relives the day. Each step he is confronted by the outcomes of his choices and none of them give him the love that he secretly seeks.

6. How is the “Old Way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause the main character to shift their perspective and make the change?

The “Old Ways” are challenges in Phil’s continuing efforts to satisfy his inner need through greed, sex and general disregard of other people’s needs. His belief that he is the “center of the universe” must shift because living each day with that perspective is creating more self-loathing.

7. What are the most profound moments of the movie?

1) When he cannot save the old man from dying> It is his first encounter with the resalities of a mortal life.

2) When Phil wakes up after Rita spends the night without having sex. He wakes to the reality that he has regained his humanity.

8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?

1) Watch out for that first step. It’s a doozy.

2) Well, what if there is no tomorrow?

3) I don’t even like myself.

9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?

Phil has always dreaded his trip to this small community. He considers the citizens beneath him and unworthy of his getting to know them. He finally realizes they are a community that know and care about each other deeply. They have that love he longs for and he ultimately accepts that he wants to live there and be a part of the fabric of this community.

10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

As human beings, we all want to be loved and be part of a community. We must learn that before we can enjoy this community of love and caring, and before we can share that love with the person we must desire, we must first learn to love ourselves.

[Gordie Cowan]

Gord’s Analysis of Groundhog Day

1. The Transformational Journey

From unassuming jerk where fellow humans are beneath him and are disposable, to a genuinely caring guy. From arrogant weatherman who IS the weather and who also dislikes himself, to weathering the storm that alters his time, so as to learn how to be a loving and loved man.

2. Lead characters

a. Change Agent: Rita. She causes Phil to want to earnestly become a good man. Rita is the “good” that Phil is not, in the beginning.

b. Transformable Character: Phil.

c. Oppression: Time is stuck. And Phil’s own caustic persona.

3. Connection (what sucks us into this movie)

Intrigue of the time warp and how Phil faces each day and learns.

4. Old ways

Phil is arrogant, egotistical, uncaring and caustic. Even so, he’s always “level” or “even keeled,” meaning he never loses his temper or explodes. He’s just a level-headed jerk.

4. New way

Phil transforms into a likeable and caring Phil. He’s not a different person. Rather, he is a better version of Phil.

5. What is the gradient the change?

Begins as a jerk

Recognizes he’s stuck in time – panic

He becomes the scared Phil.

Tries to alter routines to break out of being stuck

Looks for support from Rita who disbelieves him

Then becomes bad Phil, testing the waters of what he can get away with

Commits suicides. But never takes anyone with him (driving on railroad comes close)

Meets drunk in bar who acknowledges that yes, his days also incessantly repeat

Tries repeatedly to seduce Rita but is rejected and slapped because it’s not genuine

In attempting to “be” with Rita he comes to fall in love with her.

Begins to help others. Not that he cares at first. But then he does

Learns that some lives can be saved while others cannot – it’s just their time.

Death of the old man on the street gives him an inkling of the value of life.

Learns to live with what he’s left with – that repeated one day – by educating himself and learning matters of cultural significance and to become a good person.

Becomes the well liked Phil

Then Phil finally becomes the one that Rita likes, then falls in love with.

6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?

Time is stuck. How can this be.

Phil tests the waters, becomes even more of a jerk

Hates himself.

Experiments with suicide multiple times. Never takes anyone with him.

Then he becomes the reckless Phil.

Meets drunk in bar who acknowledges that yes, his days also incessantly repeat

Tries repeatedly to seduce Rita but is rejected and slapped because it’s not genuine

In attempting to “be” with Rita he comes to fall in love with her.

Begins to help others. Not that he cares at first. But then he does

Learns that some lives can be saved while others cannot – it’s just their time.

Death of the old man on the street gives him an inkling of the value of life.

Learns to live with what he’s left with – that one day that continues to repeat – by educating himself, learning music, French, poetry, the arts, even medicine (Doctor Phil).

Then he transforms into the well-liked Phil

Then Phil finally becomes the one attracts Rita.

7. What are the most profound moments of the movie?

Moment he recognizes that Rita is truly special.

Moment he must accept that the old man off the street is dead.

Meets drunk in bar who acknowledges that yes, his days also incessantly repeat.

In following, the moment he recognizes himself.

His acceptance of the people and the town he once despised.

The ice sculpture of Rita.

Morning when February 3rd arrives.

8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?

“I am the weather” (epitome of his ego)

“Come on, all the long-distance lines are down? What about the satellite? Is it snowing in space? Don’t you have some kind of a line that you keep open for emergencies or for celebrities? I’m both. I’m a celebrity in an emergency.”

“When you stand in the snow, you look like an angel.”

10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

Tomorrow will come. When it does be a good person.

[Ledona Hentley]

Subject: Ledona Hentley Analysis of Groundhog Day

What I learned during this assignment: The films that become classics have a deeper meaning, and touch people because they see themselves in the film.

1. The Change:

A self centered person who lives on the ‘surface’ finds the deeper meaning of life and love, the character learns how to come out of himself, learns how to be authentically himself and then learns how to connect authentically with others.

2. The Change Agent: humility through coming to grips with mortality/death. The character who is caught in the loop begins to think that he is special/gifted/invincible, until he encounters a man who he cannot ‘save’ from death.

Transformable character: Phil is an egocentric jerk, he’s the right character because we get to see his shallow selfish character in the beginning, and then we see the change in him. He started out bad, and then turned good.

The Oppression: His self image, he’s too smart and smug for this little know nothing town.

3. We’re lured into the journey because we connect with a person who is living the ‘same old, same old’, which we all experience in life – is there more than this?

4. Phil’s old way: I’m better than others, people are not worth caring about unless they get on my agenda, I can manipulate others easily. Phil’s new way: every one is a human being, worthy of consideration, just like himself, there is joy to be found in simplicity and service. He goes from being a shell of a human being, disconnected, to being fully connected to others, and thus more human.

5. Steps of Change: being humbled by his own humanity: he couldn’t get his way, manipulation wasn’t working, being surface and self focused wasn’t working, trying to manipulate and being a taker wasn’t giving him what he really wanted – love and connection. He became hopeless after he couldn’t connect with his love interest, whom he knew was a better person than himself.

6. His old ways were challenged by a better person than himself. He saw a real glimpse of himself – trying to manipulate a good person, he was always seen for his shallowness, he couldn’t live with his reflection.

7. Profound moments: the revealing of his lower self: taking advantage of a woman, stealing money, his suicide attempts, his encounter with humility – not being able to manipulate situations and things.

8. ‘Why are you still here?’ – you’re a good person who has rejected me because of me not being good, do you see something good in me that you would want to stick around?

9. The ending pays off because we see his transformation, his seeking love and affirmation outside of himself, finding it in himself first, and then attracting it from another.

10. The profound truth of this movie: When you think you’re better than others, you will find out you are not, and the only way to become better is to find out that you’re not for yourself. Self actualization.

[Jacqueline Escolme]

Jacqueline Escolme: Analysis of Groundhog day

What I learned from doing this assignment is that profound isn’t always in the big dramatic action

1. Phil’s transformational journey takes him from selfish, egotistical and emotionally dead to fully alive and in love with life

2. Rita is the change agent and she’s perfect because she’s the polar opposite of Phil. Phil is the transformable character who’s so wrapped up in himself he doesn’t have time for anyone else. He’s in a perfect place to be knocked down. The oppression is the system that created Phil – the rules that we all live by, the self-focussed society of capitalism.

3.We’re lured in through his humour. We like him because he relates to the mundanity of life we all know but makes it funny to watch. We’ve all been there and he gradually begins to do what we all want to do – break free.

4. From egocentric and disdainful to shock, fun and carefree to actually caring about others and loving other people.

5. Gradient went from misery to the joy of realising he can do what he wants because it doesn’t matter, there are no consequences to actually having fun to realising what he needs is meaning and then beginning to do meaningful things and ultimately helping others and becoming a completely different person.

6. Why do we have to do the same thing every day? Who made these rules? Why do we focus on ourselves and personal attainment rather than helping others. Individual conscious is challenged and then moves towards group consciousness.

7. When Phil realises he doesn’t have to play by the old rules. When he takes his own life, repeatedly. When he realises he needs meaning and starts to do things that matter to him. His humbleness as people start to finally appreciate him.

8. I’m not going to live by their rules any more.

Is this what love is for you?

I‘m a God, not THE God but a God.

Is this what you do with eternity?

I know your face so well I could have done it with my eyes closed.

9. Instead of avoiding people he actively lives his life around helping them. He stops trying to get attention but gets it inadvertently through his giving.

10. What you put into life you get out. Happiness comes from being available to every moment.

[Brendan Guerin]

Lesson 1: Brendan’s analysis of GROUNDHOG DAY

What I learnt from this lesson was that a simple structural device – in this case, manipulating time as experienced by the lead character – can create a powerful framework or window through which humanity, in all its faults and failures, can be explored and understood at a deep level.

What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?

Profound character change ie Going from being an immature ‘kid-ult’ to a wise, accomplished member of a rural community.

Lead characters:

Who is the Change Agent and what makes this the right character to cause the change? Rita, who is Phil’s producer, daily challenges his beliefs, attitudes and assumptions, giving him a pathway to gaining self awareness and personal growth

Who is the Transformable Character and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey? Phil is perfect for this role given his emotional immaturity, abject sense of entitlement and lack of self-awareness, providing such a low base from which a profound character transformation is readily possible

What is the Oppression? The time manipulation device, which forces Phil to relive the same day over and over until he gets it right; ie becomes a better person

How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story? Witty writing and comedic performances are used in the first act to lure us in, then the simple device of manipulating time as experienced by the lead character provides insights into human behaviour which audiences will find fascinating.

Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey?

Old way : Phil is cynical, cruel, self-entitled, boorish, unlikeable and lonely

New way: Phil is humble, kind, generous, self-aware, peaceful, open to personal growth, attractive and loved by the local community

Old way : Rita made assumptions about Phil early in the movie

New way: Rita is forced to rethink those assumptions once Phil begins to grow as a human being later in the movie

What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?

Phil’s transformation is a daily process of forced self-reflection and the opportunity to learn by experience, that is repeated until he achieves personal growth. In the process he explores all the opportunities open to him in this unreal scenario including seducing a woman he doesn’t know, seducing Rita who he loves and even committing suicide via several means when he gives up trying to break out of the time device.

How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?

The process of daily self reflection forces Phil to question his infallible belief in his own importance, providing insight and perspective on his significance or otherwise in the wider world.

What are the most profound moments of the movie?

Phil’s accomplishment as a pianist, entertainer and self-assured ‘life of the party’

The rich detail in Phil’s ice carving of Rita’s fac

What are the most profound lines of the movie?

I got you babe (song line)

“Well, 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 that you did mattered?” Ralph: “That about sums it up for me.”

How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?

The ending delivers a great payoff by forcing Phil to keep improving until he arrives at the point of peace and acceptance of himself and his loving community

What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

Self reflection and openness to learning are key to human growth

[Andre HowardMitchell]

Are we to watch Groundhog Day, or The Matrix? I’m confused.

SUBJECT: Andre’s Analysis of Groundhog Day…

1. What is the
CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this
movie?

At 6:00 am, our main character Phil realizes that he is experiencing
Groundhog Day again and again, deja-vu.

2. Lead
characters:

Who is the
Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right
character to cause the change? Rita, (Andy McDowell).

3. Who is the
Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes
them the right character to deliver this profound journey?

Transformable Character is Phil (Bill
Murray).

4. What is the
Oppression? Dejavu of repeated Groundhog Day.

How are we
lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this
story? We are lured in by the witty and likeable sarcasm of weather man
Phil, and his boredom of once again heading to Punxsutawney Pennsylvania,
to witness another Phil, the groundhog “predict” the weather. All in
sarcastic fashion.

5. 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:

What is the
gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go
through as they were changing?

Phil went from sarcastic and bored loveless
and uninterested weather man to interested and learning new things, caring
about others and looking forward to “love” with Rita, back to losing hope
and being suicidal with no consequences, to love, hope and inspired.

6. How is the “old
way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character
to shift their perspective…and make the change?

Phil is bored with Punxsutawney.
Been there done that. First day of spring again, no need for a rat named
Phil nor an insurance agent named Ned. Every 6:00am a NEW DAY, yet the
same day! to do and try something new.

7. What are the
most profound moments of the movie?

“Well, what if
there is no tomorrow, there wasn’t one today.
Phil and Phil
driving the truck, “Don’t drive angry”.
Learning the
secrets to get women, learn what they want, associate (albeit he was manipulative) (Rita, Nancy Taylor (the sexy high school peer he never met, and the costume bunny he demands she call him Bronco).
The audience
learning more about the characters through Phil’s repeat experiences, many
of the moments in the moment become transformational for Phil and the
supporting cast. For example the newly wed couple the homeless man etc.

8. What are the
most profound lines of the movie?

“Don’t drive
angry”
“Well, what if
there is no tomorrow, there wasn’t one today”
Ned? Ned
Ryerson? Bing! “I told you, call me Bronco!”

9. How does the
ending payoff the setups of this movie?

Phil woke up
not alone, yet somehow still clothed.

What is the
Profound Truth of this movie? Groundhog Day is the first day of spring.
There is a place called Punxsutawney Pennsylvania and this even it real.

10. What is the
Profound Truth of this movie?

Groundhog Day is the first day of spring.
There is a place called Punxsutawney Pennsylvania and this even it real.

End.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Andre HowardMitchell. Reason: Needing more clarification on the assignment

[Susan]

Read the Profound Map for the Matrix, and watch Groundhog Day and do this assignment.

[Andre HowardMitchell]

Thank you S.B. McClary.

[Susan]

Subject: Susan McClary’s Analysis of Groundhog Day

What I learned from doing this assignment:

To look deeper into the characters’ personalities and motivations.

We are looking at this movie from the perspective of the change that occurs for the lead character and the audience.

1) What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?

The change is about finding happiness in what’s right in front of you in the moment, and accepting and loving yourself in order to truly love, support, and give to others, instead of putting up walls to keep other people away, being selfish, and miserable with oneself and one’s life.

2) Lead characters:

*Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?

The Rita character is the main change agent character for Phil, but Phil is the main change agent for Rita, although other characters do help along the way. Rita is the right character because Phil is enamored with her. She is sweet, lovely, competent, and helpful to him as well as very pretty (although her help is superficial). He doesn’t want to admit it at first, but he can’t help himself. And Phil is the right change agent for Rita because he presses all her “buttons.” She needs to open up, grow up, live in the 20^th century (at the time the film was made) instead of the 18^th century, and stop being afraid of getting really close to someone. It’s not until Phil really needs help (which she doesn’t even want to give at first) that she is able to begin to see him for who he is underneath his brusque exterior.

*Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?

Phil (the person) is the main transformable character (he has the same name as the groundhog who probably doesn’t like his life either), although Rita is also transformed (she has the same name as “lovely Rita meter maid” in the Beatles song). Phil is transformed by what he knows is actually happening to him and Rita is transformed by what is happening to her in the “ethers” (as with her deja vu). Phil goes from a person who doesn’t like or love himself to someone who does and can then be giving and loving to others. Rita goes from a sweet cool child to a warm accepting adult.

*What is the Oppression?

The oppression is the situation of reliving the same day over and over again, as well as the limits of each character’s personality.

4) How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?

&

5) 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:

The film is set up with a repeat of what happens on the same day over and over again and we can see how Phil’s reactions are different with certain people and circumstances each day. This is interesting.

Right away we can tell that Phil is not happy with his job or himself, and that he really wants to be a newscaster in a big time station, not a weatherman and he can’t even get the weather right. He also uses jokes and humor in order to hide his true feelings and deflect other people’s wants and needs away from him because he doesn’t believe he has the strength to meet them. He doesn’t like small towns because people know each other well and if people knew who he was they would never accept him. He can hide in the city. He is a true underdog, and although he is obnoxious… he is sad, endearing and funny and we root for him to succeed. Rita is like a child who ate too much sugar and has a wall up to stop herself from having a real relationship. She also is not happy with her job and is still living in the 18^th century. She is very nice when things are at arm’s length, but when things get personal she can get really snippy and cold. We get drawn in to her story as well and hope her fragility is not broken by Phil’s skullduggery. Then we get further drawn in to the story when Phil wakes up and it is Groundhog Day again and again and again, and we want to see what will happen. Also many people relate to everything going wrong at times and feel like their days are the same drudgery over and over again. Only Phil knows what is happening, but everyone else is really living the same day over and over again with him. It is only when he breaks free that everyone else can too. In the end Phil enjoys his life, likes and loves himself, feels comfortable with other people who easily accept him and is able to express his love to Rita. In the end Rita has grown up and is courageous enough to be able to help another person, Phil, with a serious problem in an intimate and profound way. She lives in the present and is not only competent anymore, she is also courageous and complete.

6) What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?

Phil: Brusque, self-serving joker, hiding his true self because he believes he is inadequate. He doesn’t like himself or his life and he doesn’t want anyone to know who he really is, so he hides behind constant jokes and superficial relationships. Phil gets stuck in Punxsutawney, PA. He tries to get out because he says he is a celebrity in an emergency. He is miserable that he has to stay there. The next morning he wakes up and it is Groundhog Day again. He is in shock. He sees the same people, they say the same things and he is totally freaked out. Every day he gets more and more freaked out, but also tries to use information he gleans from people and occurrences from one day for his benefit on the next day. He selfishly uses this information to have sex with Nancy, to steal a bag of a lot of money from an armored truck. He begins to have some fun with his time, but it is superficial like dressing up as Clint Eastwood to go see a film. Then he asks Rita for help. She takes him to a neurologist and he says Phil is physically fine and might need a psychologist. The psychologist doesn’t know what to do with him and Phil gets more depressed. He talks with 2 drunks in the bar and realizes there are no consequences for his actions so he almost kills them all, but instead gets them locked up in jail. In the morning he is back in bed which proves to him that there are no consequences. He then sets his sights on having a relationship with Rita and gets as much information about her as possible so that he can manipulate her. It doesn’t work. He is rejected repeatedly because every time she begins to trust him he blows it (and gets slapped). He becomes dejected and tries to kill himself numerous times. He kidnaps the groundhog and drives off a cliff so both he and his namesake can be relieved of their prisons. He puts an electric toaster in the shower, he hangs himself, he jumps in front of a car, and jumps off a building…. He tries to stop the old man from dying and he can’t which depresses him more. He finally just comes right out and shows Rita that he knows everybody and what is going to happen in the next minute and begs her to stay with him. She does and they have a wonderful platonic time. He sees her fragility and wants to champion her. After she falls asleep he tells her he loves her, and even though the next day he wakes up on Groundhog Day again he has a new vision of his life. He starts to truly improve himself so that he will be the best man he can be – the man that Rita deserves. In the end he helps everyone in town who has a problem that day (catches the kid who falls out of a tree, changes the tires for some ladies, stops the mayor from choking, helps a young couple get over their fears of getting married, etc.) Everyone thinks he is great and he is happy with himself as well. He is honest and humble. `At the party Rita realizes he’s really good inside and she “buys” him for the evening. When they wake up in the morning it’s February, the day after Groundhog Day. Now he wants to live in the small town because he’s no longer afraid of people knowing who he is. He wants give to Rita, to do something for Rita today, now.

Rita: Begins her journey as a fragile walled up child with dreams of 18th century romance living in the late 20th century. Her dreams are constantly being broken by the roguish Phil who forces her to move out of her comfort zone over and over again. She thinks Phil has gone crazy, but has trouble helping him as she is truly out of her depth. She has trust issues and wonders if he is pulling a fast one. She tries to help him anyway taking him to a neurologist and a psychologist. But she still thinks he is either out of his mind or just trying to get sympathy. Then she begins to really worry that something is wrong, but again slides backwards into doubt. She starts to warm up to the possibility of Phil being quite a different person than who she assumed he was. She realizes that Phil really has a problem and truly helps him. This sets Phil up to finally begin to really become the best man that he can be. When Phil is that man, Rita fully gives up her fantasies and falls for him – the real human being right in front of her. She doesn’t just look like an angel – she is an angel.

6) How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?

Phil: Nothing is the way Phil wants it to be. He thinks he needs to be famous to be happy, but having to live with himself and his pain over and over again, especially by not being able to connect with Rita, in this daily repetitive way challenges him to see what is right in front of him, and choose to become his real self.

Rita: Her belief that life is like 18th century romantic French poetry is challenged by Phil and other men. She believes she has to protect herself to the point of avoiding an intimate relationship but Phil’s need for help challenges her.

7) What are the most profound moments of the movie?

When Phil wakes up and it is Groundhog Day again (the first time).

When Phil realizes he needs help.

When Phil is so demoralized that he repeatedly tries to kill himself.

When Phil is open with Rita about what is happening to him and that he needs help.

When Phil stops using people and starts helping people.

When the old man dies and there is nothing Phil can do about it.

When Phil realizes he loves Rita.

When Phil decides to enjoy his life and become the best version of himself.

When Rita is out of her capacity to help Phil 1) when she thinks he is crazy.

and 2) when she thinks there is truly something seriously wrong before he drives off the cliff with the Groundhog.

When Rita sees Phil’s dead body.

When Rita decides to help Phil in a deeply personal way.

When Rita realizes she misjudged Phil.

When Rita opens herself up to an intimate relationship.

8) What are the most profound lines of the movie?

“I like blood sausage.” Rita

“Watch out for that first step, it’s a doozy!” Ned

“Words from the Title of opening song: “I’ve Got You Babe” Sonny and Cher

“I guess the question we have to ask ourselves today is…does Phil feel lucky?”

“Well what if there is no tomorrow, there wasn’t one today?” Phil to operator

“He’s a rat.” Phil about the groundhog.

Future Drunk in Diner, “Phil, like groundhog Phil? Look out for your shadow there pal!”

“…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 exactly the same, and nothing you did mattered.” Phil

1st drunk takes a drink

2nd drunk, “Sums it up for me.”

“What if there was no tomorrow?” to 2 drunks in car.

Drunk 1 “No tomorrow? That means there’d be no consequences… we could do whatever we wanted.”

“In a minute Larry… and he’s going to try and take you away from me, and you can’t let him. Please believe me you’ve got to believe me.” Phil to Rita

“Maybe it’s not a curse, it depends on your perspective.” Rita

“Words of song “then put your little hand in mine, there ain’t no hill or mountain we can’t climb” “I’ve Got You Babe” Sonny and Cher

9) How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?

All the people that Phil had problems with, he becomes friends with or more. All the things that went wrong that day, he was able to stop except for the old man dying.

10) What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

Happiness is right in front of you. It depends on your perspective. Seize each moment and use it for good. Become your best self, enjoy your life, accept, and love yourself and then you will be able to accept, love, and give freely to other people.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Susan McClaryu.

[Laurie Stoner]

Laurie’s Analysis of Groundhog Day

What I learned is to look beyond the entertainment value of a movie for the meaning beneath the surface.

1. Phil’s change is from living a jaded and self-serving life to living one that is hopeful, grateful, and giving. The transformational journey is from reliving the same day over and over again while incrementally learning and adapting from his mistakes until he discovers the true meaning of happiness is serving others.

2. Lead characters: Rita is the Change Agent. She demonstrates how to be upbeat, present in the moment, and grateful for each day. She is the right character because Phil is attracted to her and realizes that she will not lower her standards for him so he must change to win her love. Phil is the transformable character because he is jaded, self-centered, grandiose, and basically a complete curmudgeon at the beginning of the film. The Oppression comes from the town of Punxsutawney, PA and the need for Phil to relive Groundhog Day over and over again.

3. We are lured in by the mystery of what caused Phil to be stuck, and by how he will react and change over time every to having to relive the same day.

4. The old way of living is jaded, downbeat, and self-serving. The new way is giving, hopeful, and focused on the well-being of other people.

5. The gradient of change is very incremental and over a long period of time. Phil dies and is constantly reborn and given a new opportunity to get it right.

6. The old way is challenged because Rita rejects Phil’s self-serving advances toward her until he learns that she will come to him when he lives and admirable, humble life.

7. The most profound moments of the movie are when Phil tries to help others, for example instead of passing the homeless man, he buys him a meal and tries to save his life. Also, when Phil puts in the effort to learn how to play the piano and it really pays off.

8. The most profound lines are those that show Phil’s change. For example, to Rita who has fallen asleep: I think you’re the kindest, sweetest, prettiest person I’ve ever met in my life. I’ve never seen anyone that’s nicer to people than you are. The first time I saw you… something happened to me. I never told you but… I knew that I wanted to hold you as hard as I could. I don’t deserve someone like you. But if I ever could, I swear I would love you for the rest of my life.” And when Phil finally gets how important Groundhog Day is to people “When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter. From Punxsutawney, it’s Phil Connors. So long.”

9. The ending shows a completely transformed Phil who is happy because he has made others happy.

10. The Profound Truth of this movie is “We will find happiness when our purpose in life is to serve others.” Unlike Phil, we won’t get thousands of chances, and we only have one life to live, so get it right!

[ray Moore]

Ray’s Analysis of Groundhog Day

What I learned doing this assignment is how to analyze movies to make the content deeper.

———————QUESTIONS FOR THE MOVIE——————-

We are looking at this movie from the perspective of the change that occurs for the lead character and the audience.

What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?

Lead characters:

The CHANGE is Phil turning from a jerk to a caring person.

Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?

Rita is the CHANGE AGENT and she is the right character because Phil falls in love with her.

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 because he is the reporter covering groundhog day.

What is the Oppression? The oppression is Phil being stuck in a loop of groundhog day

How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?

We are lured because we watch Phil kill himself over and over yet still wake up in the same loop.

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 didn’t care about anything at first (not his job or the people he work with) but by the end of the movie he was saving people lives that he didn’t even know. Also when he realized that he liked Rita, he was just trying to sleep with her but by the end of the movie he just wanted to be in her presence.

What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?At first, Phil is very uncaring (groundhog day, the town of Punxsutawney, Nancy, Rita or Larry). Then, he learns to play the piano for Rita and he has a real conversation with Larry. Phil also maps his day to help the townspeople that he previously saw in need.

How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?

Rita tells Phil that she wants a man that can play an instrument, who is kind and caring.

What are the most profound moments of the movie?

Buster dying several times, Rita slapping Phil over and over.

What are the most profound lines of the movie?

How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?

Phil changes to a caring man and he gets the girl.

What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

The Profound Truth is you must be kind to everyone because it just might change your life.

Anyone can change if they have the desire to change.

[Richard Whiteside]

Rich Whiteside’s analysis of Groundhog Day

1. What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational
Journey of this movie?

Phil Conners goes from living a self-serving, narcissistic life to one who goes out of his way to help and serve others. In his journey, he learns what it means to find true love.

2. Lead characters:

Who is the transformational character: Phil Conners

Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change: Rita. She is the unmovable moral wall between Phil and the rest of his life. To win her, he must give up his old selfish ways and become a full-developed, caring person.

What is the oppression: Being stuck in a life rut and unable to move forward—all his desires for his future blocked.

3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?

Primarily, I wondered how I would handle waking up to the same day every day. I also wanted to see narcissistic Phil get his comeuppance for being a jerk.

Secondarily, I was really interested to see how the writer came up with new inventive days—even if I wasn’t a writer myself.

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.

Old Phil is self-centered, insulting (calls his news anchor “hairdo”; refers to Rita as, “She’s fun, but not my kind of fun”; he makes fun of her facial tics in the van; asks the B&B owner trying to be polite, “Do you want to talk about the weather or just chit chat?”; When the trio stop at the hotel, Phil says, “Rita, I can’t stay here.” He works hard day after day after day to manipulate Rita into sleep with him—which she rejects every tac with a slap to his face.

New Phil: engages the B&B host who greets him each morning outside his bedroom door with wonderful prose and a hug. He hugs and kisses the B&B owner. He does an inspired TV report from gobbler’s knob then runs around town helping people. He has the perfect day with Rita—respecting her, showing true love having gone the long way to get to know her without the lure of sex being a driver.

What is the gradient of change? [How is this question different from the next question?]

5. What steps did the Transformational
Character go through as they were changing?

Phil goes through these steps of change:

>Day One: Self-centered, demeaning, insulting, manipulates others to meet his needs and desires. Life strikes back with: he’s forced to do Groundhog Day remote, steps in puddle, snowed in, no help on phone, gets bopped on the head with a snow shovel, cold shower.

>Day Two: Wakes to same day as the day before, confusion, frustration—a sense of urgency to figure out what is going on and fix it.

>Day Three: more anxious, pushes Ned, steps in puddle again, insulting still, meets drunks in bowling alley. Realizes that there are no consequences to his actions when the day resets. Excites him to think of the possibilities. He drives through a mailbox and trash cans on the street, runs through a tall groundhog sign, ends up arrested.

>Day Four+: Wakes in his bed with, “Yes!” He’s excited, animated… it’s playtime! Once he accepts that he can’t get to the next day, he sees the joy in greeting each replay of the day—he realizes he has immunity of consequences to bad or selfish actions and goes about serving his every selfish desire: he embraces the Bed & Breakfast owner, he punches Ned; steps over the puddle, eats all that pastries at the diner and smokes; he manipulates women to have sex. Robs a bank truck just because he can.

>Day after day, all is great for him until he tries to bed Rita. He makes progress, gets all the way to his B&B room, but her morality stops him every time; and he wakes up alone and unsatisfied. He becomes obsessed with getting her. In one sincere conversation, she gives him her list of the requirements for her perfect “guy” (“Well, first of all, he’s too humble to know he’s perfect… He’s intelligent, supportive, funny… He’s romantic and courageous… He’s got a good body, but he doesn’t have to look in the mirror every two minutes… He’s kind, sensitive, and gentle. He’s not afraid to cry in front of me… He likes animals and children. And he’ll change poopy diapers… oh, and he plays an instrument, and he loves his mother.”).

>He tries harder and harder to manipulate her without any success. In the process, he gets to know her, but his lack of progress leads him to depression. The more he spends time with her, the more he falls in love with her—and the more frustrated he gets that he can’t have her.

>Depression. Bored. Bitter. He drinks excessively. Becomes nasty to people. Delivers a horrendous TV spot. Gives up on living and goes through a series of inventive ways to kill himself. But he wakes up every day. This sequence of the movie basically death and resurrection sequence as he finally reaches…

>Acceptance. He accepts that even death can’t stop him from waking up in each morning to the same Groundhog Day. He accepts his fate and find joy in exploring new ventures. He gets to know the town’s people—especially Rita—learns new skills like ice sculpting, piano, poetry.

>Caring. He develops a love for the town and the people. He’s changed and over a long time…

> Arrives at true love. His sincere love for Rita releases him from his life lesson, and they wake up to a new day.

6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?

Old way: He views people as shallow, lacking true grit. He doesn’t care for others and manipulates others to meet his needs and desires. The more he holds onto his old views, the more miserable his life becomes. His fight to bend life to his desires is the force that leads to change.

New way: He’s sincere. Cares for others. Looks out for others. He’s developed and mastered many talents: skilled ice sculpturer, gifted piano player, learned poetry, delivers inspired remote TV spot. Loves Rita enough that he accepts and respects her morality, even though day after day she forgets how he’s changed.

7. What are the most profound moments of the movie?

After getting stranded in town, he awakes in the morning to the beginning of the previous day—Groundhog Day. Hello.

The series of cold showers.

He pulls the van’s distributor cap to prevent the van from starting so he can have coffee with Rita.

The manipulation sequence where he patiently learns (day after day after day) what Rita likes in order to match her choices and, in his mind, endear her to him so he can sleep with her. But her moral center stops each time—mostly with a slap to the face.

The sequence of death attempts. Phil having given up on getting past this day in this dreadful town chooses to end things but, surprise, he wake up each time to the same Groundhog Day.

The day he reveals to Rita that he can’t die and knows everyone and everyone’s story. Therefor, he must be a god.

He plays out the perfect, platonically-sincere day with Rita. He shows deep caring and if ever there was a day where he earned to awake to his life moving forward to a new day, this was the perfect day. At the end of the day, they end up in his Bed & Breakfast room talking and playing games. She stays up all night intending to see him disappear. Sleep overcomes her in the early hours, and over her slumber, Phil confesses his love and wish to spend the rest of his life with her. But life, a cruel mistress, is not done with him. He falls asleep as well and wakes up alone once again to Groundhog Day.

He’s finally master poetry, ice sculpting, piano, learning to care more for others than himself and lives an even more perfect day. He displays his talents at a dance where the numerous subplots all resolve and the dance ends with a bachelor auction. Rita, amazed by this side of Phil she never imagined existed, wins him by offering every penny in her checking account. They play out the night and, after likely a thousand years of days, Phil wakes up to the next day with Rita lying next to him.

8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?

There are way too many excellent lines in this 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 the same and nothing you did mattered?”

“No tomorrow? That would mean there’d be no consequences. There would be no hangovers. We could do whatever we wanted!”

“I’m not going to live by their rules anymore.”

Phil, “Do you like the way this day is turning out?” Rita, “I like it very much. You couldn’t have planned a day like this.” Phil, “Well, you can. It just takes a awful lot of work.”

After Phil demonstrates he knows everyone at the diner intimately, Rita tentatively asks, “What about me, Phil. Do you know me, too?” Phil responds with my favorite series of lines, “I know all about you. You like producing, but you hope for more than channel 9 Pittsburg… You like boats but not the ocean. You go to a lake in the summer with your family up in the mountains. There’s a long wooden dock and a boathouse with boards missing from the roof and a place you used to crawl underneath to be alone. You’re a sucker for French poetry and rhinestones. You’re kind to strangers and children, and when you stand in the show you look like an angel.”

Phil’s final TV spot, “When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the circle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney, and basking in their hearths and hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.”

9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?

It shows the complete resurrection of Phil. The old self-centered, self-serving Phil has died and the complete Phil has emerged from the ashes—confident, accomplished, serving, sincere, caring.

10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

True love requires sacrifice. Live every day like there is no tomorrow.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by  Richard Whiteside.

[Pauline Cronin]

What I learned from this assignment is….the gradient changes (the steps) provide a guideline for taking our lead character on his/her transformative journey and provide an opportunity for constant conflict, which in essence will deliver drama throughout the movie. Groundhog Day reminds me that sometimes the most profound movies are comedies, and that if you want to reach the broadest possible audience, writing a profound comedy may be the way to go.

What is the CHANGE this movie is about?
What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?

Phil
Connors will go from being a grumpy, narcissistic, self-absorbed celebrity
weatherman to being a man who is empathetic, lives in the now, noticed
things around him, and acts on it. For the audience: This will make you
reflect about what is important in life.
Lead characters:

Who is the Change Agent
(the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to
cause the change?
Rita,
his producer is the change agent. She is the right character because she
is in the same industry, she is exceptionally attractive and climbing the
ladder of success, but still has managed to be a grounded, exceptionally
nice person. She also has high standards and cannot be easily flattered
or hoodwinked by his insincerity or come-ons.
Who is the Transformable
Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right
character to deliver this profound journey?
Phil
Connors is the transformable character. He is the person in the story who
most needs a wake-up call, who most needs to change his ways.
What is the Oppression?
Groundhog
Day. The never-ending loop re-living the same day.

How are we lured into the profound
journey? What causes us to connect with this story?
Reliving
the same day is something we can imagine. What would we do? How will he
treat the people he meets again and again. How will he cope with his
situation? How would we?
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:
OLD
WAYS: Lack of empathy. Cynical. Believes his own press. Believes he is
above the average person. Self-absorbed. Selfish. NEW WAY: Caring.
Compassionate. Genuine. Empathetic. Relaxed. Fun. Living in the moment.
Enjoys the small things.
What is the gradient the change? What
steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?

At first,
he is angry and belligerent and condescending. He ramps up behaving badly
because there is no consequence. Then he is mildly resigned and aware that
he is caught in a loop. Because he always looks out for #1, he begins to
take advantage of his situation, trying to get away with abhorrent
behaviour to get sex and money because for him there is no consequence. He
even proposes knowing he can get away with it. Then he tried to achieve
ill-gotten gains by taking advantage of knowing what was going to happen (robbing
the truck) or what people liked/disliked/had lived through, etc.
Eventually, he realizes he’s in a living hell and keeps trying to kill
himself.
How is the “old way” challenged? What
beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their
perspective…and make the change?
He
thinks he can do or say anything without consequence, that he can seduce a
woman, pretend to be in love with her to get what he wants, even propose –
without impunity. But when Rita repeatedly slaps his face and turns him
down because of his obvious come-ons and insincerity, he is profoundly
affected. He is forced to introspect, he becomes vulnerable, and starts to
explore a better way of being.
What are the most profound moments of the
movie?
When
he calls another woman ‘Rita’ while romancing her.
When he almost forced Rita to have sex with him because he knows tomorrow,
she won’t remember.
When he tells Rita how he feels about her while she is asleep.
When he wakes up to the 6 am alarm and bounces out of bed instead of
smashing the clock.

When he gives the old man all his money.

When he tries to save the life of the old man.

When he couldn’t bring the old man back to life.

What are the most profound lines of the
movie?
“I
don’t even like myself.”

“

How does the ending payoff the setups of
this movie?

He looks down on small towns and ends up moving to one.

He thinks the lives of small-town people are inconsequential and not worth knowing, and he ends up knowing the details of the townsfolk and caring about them.

He is basically a cynical unhappy person, and he ends up completely open, caring, interested, and humble at the end.

Everything he despised in the various scenes in the movie end up being what he wants.

What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

A person who genuinely cares for his fellow man will live a deeper, more meaningful live.

[Sandra]

What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?<div>

A change from seeing life and everything from a negative perspectiv, hating it to appreciating and even loving it.

Lead characters:

Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?

Rita embodies positivity and seeing things in a loving way

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 unhappy and miserable to the core. We hate the way he treats others.

What is the Oppression?

The world is resistant to how he behaves, is setting up new rules. His way of being doesn´t function anymore.

How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?

We feel that it is impossible to go through life like this.

We all have moments where we hate everything. But don’t always express it. It is fun watching him be so ruthless.

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:

Old ways:

Mean to others, hating everything and everyone, being cynical, self-centered.

New ways: Caring about others in every possible way, from saving their life to just being interested and friendly.

What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?

Rita shows him a different, joyful perspective on the groundhog.

He does not become happier with the way he behaves even when he changes things.

How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?

First he thinks he knows everything: Everything he is sure about, the weather, that his behavior works well for him, proves to be wrong. Even his knowledge about the day and tomorrow.

He has to unlearn who he is and how he acts, step by step.

He has fun. How he has fun is also changing. First through being mean to others, that through knowing no more boundaries, then through making others happy and enjoying life.

What are the most profound moments of the movie?

He is making fun of Rita in the car in a very ugly way.

The new day is the same day.

He understands that he has a choice how to behave.

He want to kill himself to stop it.

He saves other peoples lives.

Rita hits him. Then repeatedly.

He is genuinely nice to Rita.

What are the most profound lines of the movie?

He says he doesn’t deserve her, but he would love her forever if he could.

He says „ I am asking for help!“

He says „ I’m not gonna live by their rules anymore“.

How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?

He hates the town. At the end he wants to live there.

What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

One always has a choice how to see the world and how to behave.

Acting with kindness and appreciation makes one a happy person.

</div>

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by  Sandra Nedeleff.