Three Good Scenes and No Bad Scenes: GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)
One of my heroes, Howard Hawks, once said, “A good movie is three good scenes and no bad scenes.” I have subscribed to that philosophy in my own work and now I’d like to look back at some good movies and think about those ”three good scenes”.
Three Good Scenes and No Bad Scenes: GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)
- Trying to Save the Old Man
This moment has haunted me since I first saw the movie when I was a kid. GROUNDHOG DAY may be a comedy but it’s full of touching scenes, some heartbreaking like this one. Phil’s attempt to save the homeless man who he once completely ignored is a poignant, unforgettable part of the film, especially when Bill Murray refuses to accept the inevitability of death when the nurse tells him that it was “his time”. He tries again (and maybe more times than we see on screen) but no matter what, there’s no way to save him. Great comedies are full of tragic moments and this is one of them. Every time I think about GROUNDHOG DAY since I first saw it as a child, this scene comes to mind.
- Hitting Ned in the Face
I think we all have someone in our lives we’d punch in the face if there were no consequences, if there was no tomorrow. After several annoying encounters a few mornings in a row, Phil hits the obnoxious Ned right in the kisser. It’s a cathartic moment, not just for the character but for all of us who have fantasized about doing just that! Great comedy is more than just making a good joke; it touches on something that is part of the human experience, sometimes from the violent side of ourselves we try to hide.
- The Ice Sculpture
There are so many moments in GROUNDHOG DAY between Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell that I could mention. Their chemistry in the film is one reason it works so well. Andie has never been better in a movie and Bill’s never had such a good screen partner. The one scene that really stands out for me is when Phil sculpts the portrait of in the ice. It’s such a tender moment with a tinge of sadness that represents all of the affection he feels for her and the man he has now become. Again, what makes GROUNDHOG DAY a good movie (I’d call it a great movie) is that it balances laughs with revealing truths about our existence.
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