Harold Ramis was one of my favorite directors of all time.
"Groundhog Day" is one of the 20 Greatest Films I have ever seen. The movie's philosophical themes and message of striving beyond our day-to-day routines to be our best selves every single day will stay with me forever. Add in a laugh-a-minute script by Mr. Ramis, plus the role Bill Murray was born to play(Phil Connors) and you have a Masterpiece! I usually watch "Groundhog Day" every year around February 2nd, but for some reason I didn't watch it this year ... until last night. I honestly feel terrible that Mr. Ramis's death was what it took to get me to watch it this year. The movie shares some valuable life lessons that will always help steer me in the right direction. I will now share some of those lessons I've learned from "Groundhog Day". But first...
Whenever I need a good laugh, I watch another of my All-Time Favorites: "National Lampoon's Vacation", also directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes(A dynamic duo we lost way too soon). For some unexplainable reason, this R-rated comedy became the movie my family most identified with when I was growing up. "Clark Griswold" is one of my favorite movie characters ever. This lovably clueless dad("Not your ordinary, everyday fool") just wants to drive his family cross-country to Wally World. Throughout the trip, Clark is just being the best dad he knows how to be. As things get progressively worse, and the Griswolds get into more and more wacky scenarios, we learn some valuable life lessons that are not as philosophical as the ones in "Groundhog Day", but still ...
"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #10
Imagine life as an endless repetition of the same events: How would this shape your actions?
"Well it's Groundhog Day ... again"Would you act in a different way if you knew that tomorrow you're gonna experience the exact same things? At first Phil is just confused with what is going on and spends those days trying to figure it out.
"Vacation" Life Lesson #10
Never hand off your trade-in car until you make sure you receive exactly what you ordered.
If not, you'll end up with the Wagon Queen Family Truckster
"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #9
Until you wake up and get things right you're gonna live the same emotional prison every day.
Phil asks these two bar patrons, Ralph and Gus, a question about his situation: "What would you do if you were stuck in one place and everyday was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?" Ralph answers: "That about sums it up for me."
"Vacation" Life Lesson #9
Never ask for directions when driving around in the "inner city"
Be safe. Just find your own way out.
"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #8
Superficial charm will only get you so far with women.
At one point in the film, Phil tries to bed Rita by gathering information on her and using it the next day and the next day, but he fails every time, each time earlier than the night before. Phil's failure, resulting in a slap by Rita at the end of each night, stems from his hollowness as an individual.
"Vacation" Life Lesson #8
Speaking of safe driving tips ... If you feel like you're dozing off, always stop for the night
Seriously, this one's not even meant to be funny. Just a good tip
"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #7
"Maybe God isn't omnipotent, maybe he's just been around so long he knows everything."
This is one of the movie's most philosophical themes. Phil tells Rita he is a God("not the God"). He has infinite combinations possible for how he could go about his day with all the knowledge he has acquired of the town. This speaks to God's knowledge of every possible outcome of our decisions.
"Vacation" Life Lesson #7
Always get to know your 2nd cousins.
You'll find that you share more things in common than you thought.
"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #6
What makes life worth living is not what you get from it, but what you put into it.
Phil comes to the realization that with all this available time he can learn many things, including: playing the piano, learning french, and ice sculpting. He even learns how to perfectly toss playing cards into a hat(something he says takes around 6 months). From all these activities we can gain a better sense as to just how long Phil spent living the same day.
"Vacation" Life Lesson #6
Invest in a rooftop carrier
Strapping luggage to the roof will most likely result in it falling off.
"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #5
There are some things in life you just can't change
In a key sequence of the film, Phil learns that even with all his knowledge of the day's events there are some things he can't change. He tries to help a homeless man who is about to die by feeding him. No matter what he does, he can't prevent him from dying. It was just his time.
"Vacation" Life Lesson #5
Always make sure your dog is inside the car(and not tied to the rear bumper) when you take off.
Unless you want to scar your family for life.
"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #4
We should learn to love and appreciate everything, and everyone around us.
On February 1st, the townspeople of Punxsutawney are hicks, according to Phil. On February 3rd, he loves the town and everyone in it and wants to live there with Rita. Speaking of Rita, on February 1st she was definitely not Phil's kind of woman, but on February 3rd he doesn't have eyes for anyone else.
"Vacation" Life Lesson #4
If your old relative is asleep in the car, make sure she's still alive
Always be prepared for this scenario so your dead relative doesn't end up tied to the roof of your car.
"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #3
Loving life includes loving the fact that it goes.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, or for the rest of my life, I'm happy now ... because I love you." Phil says this to Rita at the end of his final Groundhog Day. He's in love with Rita and has earned Rita's love as well. He is no longer thinking about manipulating the day in his favor, he is simply enjoying life
"Vacation" Life Lesson #3
Always gauge the temperature of the water before diving head first into a pool.
Even if there's a naked supermodel already inside(in this case, Christie Brinkley).
"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #2
"Is there anything I can do for you today?"
Phil finally wakes up on February 3rd, with Rita by his side. He has learned how to love and he has learned the value of selflessness. After pinching Rita and looking out the window to confirm that "today is tomorrow", he asks Rita the question above after mentioning that last night "was the end of a very long day". If she only knew, right?
"Vacation" Life Lesson #2
When you arrive at an empty parking lot, always park by the exit.
That way you will always be the first ones to leave as well. I actually use this one sometimes. You find a spot faster, plus you get in some exercise. It also gives you ample room to run in slow-motion towards the entrance.
"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #1
The film's ultimate triumph: It is very, very funny!
Ramis insisted that the film be funny first, and philosophical second. After all, this was his specialty: making us laugh, and "Groundhog Day" definitely succeeds in making the parable of "Phil Connors" relatable through comedy. From "Needle-nose Ned", to "Larry the cameraman", to "Phil Connors" himself, the movie is filled with unforgettable comedic characters. When it came to comedy in the last 35 years, nobody did it better than Harold Ramis. And now, one of his best comedic scenes ever ...
"Vacation" Life Lesson #1
Always check beforehand to make sure that Wally World, Walt Disney World, or any other World, for that matter, won't be closed when you get there.
Families all around the world can thank Harold Ramis and John Hughes for this gem. They will certainly be missed.
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