I've seen various estimates between 30 and 50 years. My take is that Phil (he has the same name as the groundhog!) is in Hell, or at least in purgatory. His first impulse was to satisfy his baser appetites, from food & money to... other activities.😏 Even that began to pall, and he started to despair, to the point where even that didn't free him. The turning point, IMO, was when he began to care about the homeless man. Yet no matter what he did, the man died. At that point Phil learned to accept things as they are, and help where you can, even when they don't thank you (rotten kid!). When he finally learned to love himself, he also learned to live others, and give of himself selflessly. When he learned to love others, he became lovable. It was Rita's love that saved him.
I've seen various estimates between 10 and 1000 years haha. Addie's thought of a few months would probably be the lowest, but I wouldn't count that as a real guess until someone's had a chance to really think about it :)
I don’t think the cycle of endless Groundhog Days is broken until Phil says to Rita “I’m happy now.” That’s when the snow starts, which is the first time we see it snow in the town itself.
That's possible, if you look at the musical which the movie's writer was involved with, it's pretty evident that before he could escape Groundhog Day he had to stop wanting to get out. So being content with Rita would fit thematically. I think in the musical the line is "I was sure, I thought the only way to better days was thru tomorrow, but I know now that I know nothing. But I'm here and I'm fine..."
@@izzonj agreed. Can't remember when I saw her but I thought "that kid's adorable. She looks familiar, who's her parents? Andie McDowell, well that makes sense!" Lol
They actually wanted Tori Amos for the role, but she opted to tour for her new album at the time. It pretty much ended her prospects into acting, minus random bit parts but her music career took off
A key point is when Rita tells Phil that "maybe it's not a curse". After she says that, Phil starts using the time-loop to improve himself and become a better person.
The attention to all the little details are fun to catch. When the nurse is giving him the news about the old man's death you can see the kid who fell out of the tree in the background with a broken leg.
NICE Catch! So likely there was a screen shot where he went around the emergency room looking for ppl he Could save when he finally accepted he couldn't save the old man. Wonder if they added it as a cut screen on the DVD?
The previous comment is a scammer, obviously. That's a lovely story. It somewhat depresses me that I don't have the slightest idea of my parents' "love story". I mean, it did take them 22 years to get divorced; presumably at some point they were happy enough that they might have talked about stuff like that. But if they did, I don't remember it. It's nice that you have such lovely memories.
The movie was an interesting study of what a person might do when they realize they are caught in a loop - panic, mischief, destructive behavior, trying to make it end, coming to terms, and doing as much positive with it as possible.
I think this movie does a good job of illustrating what it is like to have depression, what it looks like to descend into your lowest point and then gradually come out of it again. Being kinda negative to start that feels almost defensive, even funny, because you see the world in such a definite way. Then every day starts to feel like it is on repeat, to the point of meaninglessness. Because that is what the depth of depression is: Nothing makes you feel anything and nothing changes. There may be a point where you feel invincible because of it but that eventually goes. Then you just want it all to stop because that would be a different kind of nothing, at least. Then when feelings start to come back, good or bad, they are kind of heavy and hard to take, and coming out of it is also gradual; the first time you feel and experience everything without that cloud over you feels perfected in a way, and then you are ready to move cautiously forward.
Your comment about him slipping and breaking his back is actually a genius plot for a dark comedy. Phil spends all his time, learns his lesson, is a better person for it, dies the next day, turns out that’s how life works. You relive your last full day over and over until you find the meaning of life and finish it as a good person, then you finally pass
It makes sense, if you think about it from a fairness point of view. Phil got extra time to work on improving himself (and also got to have a lot of consequence-free fun in the process). He also got all of this in violation of multiple laws of nature. It makes sense that there'd be a pretty heavy cost to it.
I like this idea in a gallows-humor sort of way - the irony of it all. But I don't think ANY Hollywood studio would have ever allowed such an ending! This was a successful box office hit. This suggestion, even with merit, might have made the movie box office poison.
His depression/suicide sequence is so poignant. One of the most emotional moments in cinema is when he leaps from the tower It's even worse in the musical with the song playing. In the musical it's fully overcast and gray on Groundhog day and he has one line where he says. "I'm never going to see the sun again."
One way to add it up is he count how many skills he learns (piano, ice sculpting, french poetry, etc) I takes about 10 years to become expert at something. It was definitely a lifetime of Groundhog Days.
What nobody ever talks about is how messed up Phil would be after something like that. Living 35-years where you know everything that’s going to happen and having no permanent consequences to your actions, to suddenly being thrust back into linear-time reality… that’s Stephen King level horror right there.
According to the writer, the idea is that he spent something like 10,000 years there. I think it would only take about 1 year before you'd be completely crazy.
Not only that, but it's implied he never is able to escape the town. So for him, it's been decades that he hasn't seen his family, friends, or other co-workers.
@@trevorlambert4226 imagine living in total certainty and security, no fear of death, all the wrongs you do are wiped, you never feel any shame or fear, for thousands of years. And then you go back to reality, how would you cope with uncertainty? Guy would have a cardiac arrest just from the thought of death, he would live the rest of his life in constant panic state.
If you notice when its the last day, they do play "ive got you babe" but it is not in the same place. It starts at the beginning intro instead of the the "so put your little hand in mine" part
I love Groundhog Day but mainly because this movie is one of my favorites. It gets better each time you watch it. Diving into the movie trivia is great too!
Addie, at 3:34 when we first see Ned Ryerson (Stephen Tobolowski)- behind him is Woodstock Jewelers. Most of the movie was actually filmed in Woodstock, IL (about an hour NW of Chicago). A few years after the film, the town began hosting "Groundhog Days" during the first week of Feb- 5 days of events revolving around the movie. Two movie screenings in the local movie theater, a breakfast, walking tours, memorabilia etc..
There are really a lot of people that show up to see that groundhog. I was in the area delivering a load when I was trucking so I went to see it just to be able say I had seen it. I really blew my mind how many people were there. It reminds me of a county fair happening.
Excellent video as always! Fun fact: Harold Ramis, the director (and Bill Murray's co-star in Ghostbusters), knew Bill Murray very well (although they had a falling out after-and largely due to-this movie), and because of this, he decided to film the scenes in reverse order. That way, Murray's freshest performances would be in the later scenes, when Phil was supposed to be happy, and when Murray started to get jaded and annoyed with the film, they would be filming the scenes where Phil is a jaded, narcissistic jerk. Absolutely genius move.
A year and a half later viewing, and two months later reading, but thank you! I've absolutely loved this movie ever since the very first time I saw it at the theatre in college, waaaay back in '93. I knew about all the trouble between Murray and Ramis, and all the rewrites, and so many details about the production, but I never knew about the reverse order! Apparently that's just as well-known! I guess if you pay attention, you can learn something new every day! Thanks!!
Having now seen first time reactions to this movie over and over and over ad infinitum, I have developed a theory as to why the day keeps repeating (in the movie, that is, not my life). When Rita tells Phil on the first Groundhog's Day to try it again without the sarcasm and he blows her off, someone upstairs (or downstairs) was apparently listening and decided to make him relive the day until he did what she'd asked.
Most of this was filmed in Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois. The town square which was used for "Gobbler's Knob" remains largely unchanged since the filming. The ledge he jumps from at the top of the Opera House was built specifically for the movie and was left after filming. It can still be seen today.
Addie, This is one of my favorite movies of all time. I have been to Woodstock, Illinois where they filmed this, and have toured all around their downtown. It is really neat. The Cafe is now a Mexican restaurant, we ate there while we were there. The bed and breakfast is a real bed and breakfast in real life, though when it was filmed, it was a private residence. There are historical markers all over the town showing where everything took place.
the best is watching the movie in the theater there on Groundhog's Day. They do it every year weather it's an anniversary or not. They use to invite the location scout and other production people from the crew to talk about different behind the scenes stuff that was specific to the town. Like the section of tracks they used to film on and so on. I remember when a couple of my classmates talked about going and watching the filming the week after in school.
IMO, this is one of the best movies ever. More real life lessons than pretty much any other film. There was even a car chase, a bank heist, and an explosion. And a cute animal. :)
Not the best, but just one of those near perfect movies in a genre - or a combination of genres like this one. Like what Total Recall did for action movies. The 1990s were a good decade. And of course, Bill Murray is a force of nature. His wit, facial expression and timing always delivers.
The “I’m thinking” line when given the choice of going back to Punxsutawney or freezing to death is a call back to Jack Benny. Part of his persona was being cheap, and he had a famous response to the old threat “Your money or your life!” by pausing for a while and then saying, “I’m thinking it over.” Probably the most famous punchline of all time.
This movie is an underrated classic. Unique concept, great cast, emotional moments, and a lot of heart. Great reactions as always Addie! Glad you watched it! 😊 This movie is an underrated classic. Unique concept, great cast, emotional moments, and a lot of heart. Great reactions as always Addie! Glad you watched it! 😊 This movie is an underrated classic. Unique concept, great cast, emotional moments, and a lot of heart. Great reactions as always Addie! Glad you watched it! 😊
There are whole academic essays written about this film, some breaking down how long Phil was in the loop (it's a lot longer than you'd think), while others discuss the philosophical and theological aspects of his situation (fate, freewill, reincarnation, etc.). It's a testament to Murray, Ramis and everyone involved that such a simple, high concept story (person repeats the same day over and over) could be both enjoyable as entertainment and praised for its depth and substance. Add to that the tensions and problems behind the camera. Murray and Ramis (long-time friends and collaborators) had a falling out over this movie (apparently they mended things after several years, thankfully). Once you've seen this movie, it sticks with you.
This is basically a "modern" take on "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. The idea that one individual and their actions have an important impact on everything around them, and that they should try to be the best person they can because of it.
Fun fact: They filmed the scene where the truck goes into the quarry just a couple miles from me! And the bulk of the movie in the town of Woodstock, IL just about an hour away! And I still love this movie :D
It's interesting that he basically goes through the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Being stuck in time is almost like facing your own death, because you can't fully live anymore.
The movie was actually filmed in a little town in Illinois called Woodstock. Me and a friend of mine visited it last year, and the town STILL looks almost identical to how it looked 30 years ago - minus some obvious updates to some of the store fronts - but aside from that, I legit felt like I was in the movie! Every year on Groundhog Day, they actually have a big festival in the town, just like in the movie. The movie theater there even does a 24 hour screening of the movie on Groundhog Day as well lol
Somebody said to get as proficient as he did in all those tasks, the days stuck would be in the low thousands of days-possibly near 12,000 days according to one article that added it up. Especially to get good at the skills where he’d have a limited amount of time to practice like the piano, ice sculpting, and implied multiple languages would taking longer than you’d think.
I read that one of the scenes they cut or maybe didn’t even film was going to show he went to the library and read one page of a book each day and that at one point he realized he had read every book in the library. Harold Ramis, the director once, said it was a 10 year loop, but then later said it was probably 30-40 years. So the actual number is a mystery I guess.
@@Fonny222 Yeah, there are a lot more clues the original count was definitely going to be shown a lot higher. Like I read he was going to teach himself how to drive every vehicle in town, including construction; he was going to learn how-to skills like carpentry, plumbing, and wiring; and also he was going to take up multiple styles of cooking at pro chef levels.
it wasn't just all the skills that he learned, though... he knew, from MEMORY, down to the SECOND, when every single thing in the entire town was going to happen... what everyone was going to say, where they were going to be, when they would fall, get a flat tire, or choke, which direction they would be looking in... he knew every town person's complete back story, too... meaning that he must have spent days or weeks or years with each one individually getting to know them. It's unrealistic that the suicidal depression only lasted a few days as seen in the film, too. Realistically that went on for 5, 10, or 20 years, perhaps longer. Without any help and nothing changing day in day out, he could have spent a century like that. There's so much that must have happened off-screen, many thousands of times more than what is on-screen. I always feel like people are severely underestimating how much time he must have spent in the loop when they ONLY consider the skills we are seen and then give a conservative estimate of how long it would take to learn each skill, as if Phil was on a speed run trying to power level his way through becoming a chiropractor, piano virtuoso, card flipping champ, ice sculptor, French poetry scholar, et cetera. He probably picked up most of those skills just out of complete boredom over the course of centuries, not because he set out at the beginning to learn each one as fast as he could.
@@nooneofconsequence1251 Exactly. I think the people suggesting 30ish years are lowballing it. It almost deserves another movie depicting how messed up he'd be after returning to reality, but modern Hollywood would just mess it up.
The amount of heart this film has never ceases to amaze me. So many little things that are so, so funny. Just watch Stephen Tobolowsky's face after Murray punches Needle Nose Ned Ryerson. Priceless. I originally hail from Western PA and know someone who went several times to the festivities, and they said it never failed to be wild. I don't know how many times I've watched this movie and I love seeing others experience this gem for the first time. Great reaction Addie, thanks.
Hi Addie, thanks for reacting to this! One of my favorite movies. I also consider it to be Bill Murray's best, even though I absolutely loved him in Ghostbusters. But this movie, he's so good with the comedy portions, but he's also amazing in the levels of despair he displays. And then he can be so charming and delightful as he tries to help the old man and helping all of the people around town. He even gets a musical interlude! And then of course, he's wonderful in the romantic parts, and his display of affections for Rita and his delivery of those loving lines... it's hard to beat. This movie showcases all of Bill's abilities, and he shines throughout.
Saw this one in the theater and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not the first movie to feature a "time loop" plot, but it did a lot to popularize the concept in the west.
Count up every skill he mastered and assume 100,000 hours of dedicated work on each skill, plus the time spent dividing his attention between each skill to work on others, he could have been repeating that day for hundreds of years. One mistake was the piano teacher at the dance. She claimed he was her student. Even if he had gone to see her on that day, she would have told him there was nothing she could teach him. It would be fun to see a fan film where we see the Tardis land near town and The Doctor repair the time loop on Phil's last day. It would just be coincidence that it was on his best day.
Yep, Jim, nice job, I have said that for years, about the piano teacher... Also, always wondered why he asked the couple, how the wedding went, for apparently was not invited🤔 unless, he just turned down the invitation, because he knew he had so much to do, giving them the nice Wrestlmania tickets, in lieu of. But in a word, Great!!! Excellent Continuity thru out the movie.... A really tough directorial task.
I think one time in a panel, the Director and the writer revealed that he was stuck in the same day roughly around 10 years to learn everything he did and learn all the town
The Nancy Taylor trick/scenario strongly suggests that Ned Ryerson, who Phil doesn't remember, has played the same trick on Phil. Ned Ryerson is stuck in his own groundhog day hell too.
An interesting tidbit for you - when Navy ship's cross the international Date Line from West to East, this movie is often shown on the ship's TV station (day of or night before). You get to live the same day twice so to speak. :)
Bill Murray was/is notorious for getting very curmudgeonly over the course of a film's development; the running story is director Harold Ramis used that knowledge when filming. The later scenes were filmed first, when Murray was at his most likeable, and the beginning scenes were filmed last, when he had returned to his normal acerbic self. As a post-script, this film marked the end of Ramis and Murray's friendship; they didn't speak to eachother until just before Ramis died in 2014.
A truly perfect movie. I am watching this reaction on Groundhog Day, which also happens to be my birthday, so thank you for the shoutout to both! Watching people react to this, I'm kind of amazed how rarely people comment on how much of a jerk Phil is at the beginning of the movie. He's a truly awful person, he's a mean jerk to co-workers and strangers, he manipulates women into sleeping with him because he can get away with it and openly tries to do the same to Rita, save scumming his way through their dates. He only realizes what an empty shell of a person he is after she slaps him several dozen times... but then he does genuinely change, which is heartwarming and lovely. A great watch and a fun rewatch when you know what's coming. I think he does stay up until 6:00 multiple times, but the only one they really show is when he snaps the pencil in half and waits watching the clock. He seems surprised when he wakes up the next time and I took that to mean he instantly went from staring at the broken pencil and the clock to awake at 6:00. I also assume he watches Rita until 6:00 the day he opens up to her about his situation.
Many of us (random strangers) hope that Groundhog Day 2 is released in theaters, and that it is actually just Groundhog Day. Guaranteed no one would walk out.
Great reaction Addie, you almost made me tear up. Live everyday to the fullest, how many things he did in one day to help people and make a difference. There are fewer days ahead than there are behind, especially in Phil's case, but tomorrow isn't a giving to any of us...when he says to Rita, I dont care what happens tomorrow or the next day, im happy right now..then it started snowing, he got it right. Big blessings and love being sent your way.
It has become kind of a tradition to watch Groundhog Day reactions every year and warn them that they have to keep on doing the reaction until they get it right
I first saw this movie in 2004, when I was 16 and it became one of my favorites, I watched it so many times, tried to understand it deeper. I couldn't then know how close this film is to perfection, which it is possible to get in films. At first, I perceived it as a comedy fantasy and a love drama at the same time. Now, after so many years, I would say that behind the whole comedy lies a psychological thriller and a deep philosophical drama, because Groundhog Day has become synonymous with repetitive gray days of life in which nothing changes, this is the philosophy of life in the moment "now", and not tomorrow , about how love changes a person, his perception of even repeating things, about growing up a person when he becomes mature and knows how to value his time, regardless of whether he is stuck in eternity or lives out the rest of his life, and also despite the fact that he knows everything about his day, for him every day has become special and there is always something to be surprised at and he welcomes change. It is unlikely that he was so happy about the dawn of a new day earlier than at the end of the film. Someone out there calculated on the basis of the theory of 10,000 hours to become a pro in every skill that Phil spent about 30-40 years. But I would say that if you have 100% free time, then learning how to play the piano so well two songs is a matter of one year, but you can multiply it by 3-5, because the teacher cannot always teach everything and cover everything, but the piano performance in this film is quite professional in many ways. For example, a teacher can teach you to hit a metronome, but it is unlikely that a teacher who sees you for the first time will immediately tell you that the discrepancy with the metronome must be within 15-20 milliseconds in order to consider this a hit. With his ice carving, it is also unclear whether he can do a couple of figures or many. I think he most likely spent 10-15 years in this day, since this may be some real time that the script creator spent in the gray days of his life until he fell in love, that changed him. That is, most likely it happened before the screenwriter turned 40, and I consider the time after graduation from the university and working days, something like that. It's nice that you liked it. You can check one another non-comedy movie with Bill Murray - Broken Flowers. The role is scripted specially for Bill Murray. But this film is not at all funny, but also philosophical and in some ways continues this theme. But it is even more difficult to comprehend.
The guy announcing six more weeks of winter is Bill Murray's brother. Everyone estimates a different amount of time he was in the loop. Apparently some say 33 years, some say 500, some say 10,000 The 30th anniversary of this film is the 12th. If you liked this concept, try Happy Deathday.
Danny Rubin, the story creator and scriptwriter, has said in an interview that one of the possible endings was for Rita to be in her own loop day on the 3rd Feb, the day after Phil comes out of his loop day.
What makes this comedy so great is that it is not _just_ an expertly executed comedy, it also gets really dark and really sad at times. I think that’s what makes the movie linger with you. Lost in Translation is another great Bill Murray movie that is comedic but also very deep. (And it also has a great Scarlett Johannson not doing superhero stuff.)
"Sometimes people just die" "Not today" One of many of the great lines in this movie. Phil tries to fake changing his life and it doesn't work, in the end only when he actually changed did the day change.
When she says "you said to stay so I stayed", his reply is just amazing lol. "I said stay so you stayed? Ha, I cant even get a collie to stay". I remember spitting my drink on that line first time I saw this film.
I drove to the place they filmed it. Not Punxatawney is Woodstock, Illinois. Charming little town square with plenty of placards of where scenes happened. Plus, the bed & breakfast where Phil stayed.
28:33 Phil is seen reliving Groundhog Day 38 times in the movie, while another 414 days were mentioned in the film. Today is this classic movie's 30th anniversary and is being re-released in theaters.
"I thought the movie would end with him slipping and breaking his back." I've been watching your reactions for a good year now...and I had NO idea that you had such a dark sense of humor. Fantastic. More of this please. ^_^
Fantastic movie ( and reaction 🙂👍). Bill Murray never fail, no matter what role, he does it perfectly. Another great movie where he shines, Lost in Translation, costarring Scarlett Johansson.
I just got home frim Punxatawney fromw tidays ceremony. Its one of the most fun things i do. 20k people drunk and partying since noon yesterday. Its a quaint little town thst is as fruendly and hospitable as u will find. 20k drunk people at 7 am is an interesting site, all trying to see a furry animal. Its a sught i recomend to anyone within a 3-4 hr drive. The movie is fun as well. Its all about personal growth with a few fun twists.
Time loop scenarios are some of my favorite plots, and so many shows have an episode about, so many different kinds of movies with the premise, even some videogames! Palm Springs, Happy Death Day, Source Code, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, an episode of Gravity Falls, of Dark Matter, even a My Little Pony special! They're always a treat. I like when the thing shows its own spin on it too. I've never seen this movie though, funnily.
Thanks Addie for this timely reaction. It was lots of fun. Now If you liked this concept "12:01" with Jonathan Silverman & Helen Slater is also fun and "EDGE OF TOMORROW" is a far superior movie!
For more Andi McDowell you really need to see Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Michael. You definitely need to see Stripes and Caddyshack for fantastic Murray
When he first takes the old man to the hospital, in the background of the ER is the boy with a broken leg who fell out of a tree whom Phil later saved from falling. It's been carefully calculated that Phil relived the day for at least 34 years.
Bill Murray alias Phil really plays the piano in real life, his real brother is Brian Doyle Murray the guy choking is his older brother. Most people don't remember he was hit by a snow shovel, hence why he was forgetting everyday. Great movie, it was serious and yet funny. thank you Addie for your young lady reaction. Off subject another good movie is late Robin Williams RV , also Steve Carel, Lauren Graham "Evan Almighty", Thanks.
The bit with the homeless guy always gets me. Sometimes, there's just nothing you can do, no matter how hard you try.
They overdubbed her with Glenn Close in Tarzan because her Southern accent was too strong. She managed to overcome it, but that was her first movie.
It's a good reminder that you should never waste your time with worthless bums.
The thing with the homeless guy makes me tear up every time. Very sweet.
Yep, that scene scarred me as a kid.... Tried to avoid it on rewatches until I grew up....
Damn and I just cried again like a baby... 😅😭
3:01 "Oh, is he going to get stuck here?" Oh sweet summer child :D
I've seen various estimates between 30 and 50 years.
My take is that Phil (he has the same name as the groundhog!) is in Hell, or at least in purgatory. His first impulse was to satisfy his baser appetites, from food & money to... other activities.😏
Even that began to pall, and he started to despair, to the point where even that didn't free him. The turning point, IMO, was when he began to care about the homeless man. Yet no matter what he did, the man died. At that point Phil learned to accept things as they are, and help where you can, even when they don't thank you (rotten kid!).
When he finally learned to love himself, he also learned to live others, and give of himself selflessly. When he learned to love others, he became lovable. It was Rita's love that saved him.
I've seen various estimates between 10 and 1000 years haha.
Addie's thought of a few months would probably be the lowest, but I wouldn't count that as a real guess until someone's had a chance to really think about it :)
Addie: "I wonder if anyone has counted up the days?"
Me: "Oh you sweet summer child."
I don’t think the cycle of endless Groundhog Days is broken until Phil says to Rita “I’m happy now.” That’s when the snow starts, which is the first time we see it snow in the town itself.
I think that's the best way to tell that the curse is broken that he's under and he says I'm happy now to Rita then you see snow
Well- it starts because he says:
I wanna spend one more second in Puxatawny? I don't think so!
Something to that effect!
Nice detail.
That's possible, if you look at the musical which the movie's writer was involved with, it's pretty evident that before he could escape Groundhog Day he had to stop wanting to get out. So being content with Rita would fit thematically.
I think in the musical the line is "I was sure, I thought the only way to better days was thru tomorrow, but I know now that I know nothing. But I'm here and I'm fine..."
It's crazy it took him dozens of years to find hapiness.
Andie McDowell is probably one of the most adorable humans in Hollywood history everytime she opens her mouth.
Her daughter is pretty lovely, too!
@@izzonj Sarah or Rainey?
@@izzonj agreed. Can't remember when I saw her but I thought "that kid's adorable. She looks familiar, who's her parents? Andie McDowell, well that makes sense!" Lol
They actually wanted Tori Amos for the role, but she opted to tour for her new album at the time. It pretty much ended her prospects into acting, minus random bit parts but her music career took off
Hope you've seen her in the delightful Four Weddings and a Funeral.
A key point is when Rita tells Phil that "maybe it's not a curse". After she says that, Phil starts using the time-loop to improve himself and become a better person.
“Oh,he’s going to get stuck there…”
You have no idea 😜😁
The attention to all the little details are fun to catch. When the nurse is giving him the news about the old man's death you can see the kid who fell out of the tree in the background with a broken leg.
Holy cow! I never noticed!
NICE Catch! So likely there was a screen shot where he went around the emergency room looking for ppl he Could save when he finally accepted he couldn't save the old man. Wonder if they added it as a cut screen on the DVD?
Wow, I have seen this movie many times and never noticed that detail before. Thanks for pointing it out!
Yes, Thank you! I too never noticed this!
This makes me think of my mom. She and I loved watching this together. Also, it’s the anniversary of my mom and dad’s first date.
I miss you, Mom.
The previous comment is a scammer, obviously.
That's a lovely story. It somewhat depresses me that I don't have the slightest idea of my parents' "love story". I mean, it did take them 22 years to get divorced; presumably at some point they were happy enough that they might have talked about stuff like that. But if they did, I don't remember it.
It's nice that you have such lovely memories.
"Is he gonna get stuck here." Boy did you have no idea how true that was on so many levels.
3:02 "oh is he going to get stuck here?"
Oh my, you have no idea how right you are
The movie was an interesting study of what a person might do when they realize they are caught in a loop - panic, mischief, destructive behavior, trying to make it end, coming to terms, and doing as much positive with it as possible.
Originally the screenwriters were toying with the idea of making it a dark horror film in which Phil abused his power and goes on a killing Spree!
@@MrParkerman6 those are the deleted scenes. Scene 29: Int - Diner. Phil goes on murderous rampage.
Some people link his behavior to Elizabeth Kübler-Ross’s stages of grief, denial, bargaining, … acceptance. Others link it to Hindu philosophy.
“Is here going to get stuck there?” More than you know.
I think this movie does a good job of illustrating what it is like to have depression, what it looks like to descend into your lowest point and then gradually come out of it again. Being kinda negative to start that feels almost defensive, even funny, because you see the world in such a definite way. Then every day starts to feel like it is on repeat, to the point of meaninglessness. Because that is what the depth of depression is: Nothing makes you feel anything and nothing changes. There may be a point where you feel invincible because of it but that eventually goes. Then you just want it all to stop because that would be a different kind of nothing, at least. Then when feelings start to come back, good or bad, they are kind of heavy and hard to take, and coming out of it is also gradual; the first time you feel and experience everything without that cloud over you feels perfected in a way, and then you are ready to move cautiously forward.
That level of understanding comes from experience. I hope you’re having a good week!
"Oh, is he going to get stuck here?" Yes. Yes, he is.
Your comment about him slipping and breaking his back is actually a genius plot for a dark comedy. Phil spends all his time, learns his lesson, is a better person for it, dies the next day, turns out that’s how life works. You relive your last full day over and over until you find the meaning of life and finish it as a good person, then you finally pass
It makes sense, if you think about it from a fairness point of view. Phil got extra time to work on improving himself (and also got to have a lot of consequence-free fun in the process). He also got all of this in violation of multiple laws of nature. It makes sense that there'd be a pretty heavy cost to it.
Or that he died on the first day, and the whole time-loop thing was just a "dream" as he was dying. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.
I like this idea in a gallows-humor sort of way - the irony of it all. But I don't think ANY Hollywood studio would have ever allowed such an ending! This was a successful box office hit. This suggestion, even with merit, might have made the movie box office poison.
Awwwwwww
It’s a very spiritual movie. Some have described it as the classic purgatory
His depression/suicide sequence is so poignant. One of the most emotional moments in cinema is when he leaps from the tower It's even worse in the musical with the song playing.
In the musical it's fully overcast and gray on Groundhog day and he has one line where he says. "I'm never going to see the sun again."
One way to add it up is he count how many skills he learns (piano, ice sculpting, french poetry, etc) I takes about 10 years to become expert at something. It was definitely a lifetime of Groundhog Days.
What nobody ever talks about is how messed up Phil would be after something like that. Living 35-years where you know everything that’s going to happen and having no permanent consequences to your actions, to suddenly being thrust back into linear-time reality… that’s Stephen King level horror right there.
Would love to see a story on the aftermath. Maybe not of Phil, but another time looper.
According to the writer, the idea is that he spent something like 10,000 years there. I think it would only take about 1 year before you'd be completely crazy.
Not only that, but it's implied he never is able to escape the town. So for him, it's been decades that he hasn't seen his family, friends, or other co-workers.
I think the idea is that Phil needed a lot of time to appreciate himself, because he hated himself most of all people.
@@trevorlambert4226 imagine living in total certainty and security, no fear of death, all the wrongs you do are wiped, you never feel any shame or fear, for thousands of years. And then you go back to reality, how would you cope with uncertainty? Guy would have a cardiac arrest just from the thought of death, he would live the rest of his life in constant panic state.
If you notice when its the last day, they do play "ive got you babe" but it is not in the same place. It starts at the beginning intro instead of the the "so put your little hand in mine" part
I love Groundhog Day but mainly because this movie is one of my favorites. It gets better each time you watch it. Diving into the movie trivia is great too!
The guy presenting the groundhog/saved from choking in the restaurant, is Bill's brother, Brian Doyle Murray.
Addie, at 3:34 when we first see Ned Ryerson (Stephen Tobolowski)- behind him is Woodstock Jewelers. Most of the movie was actually filmed in Woodstock, IL (about an hour NW of Chicago). A few years after the film, the town began hosting "Groundhog Days" during the first week of Feb- 5 days of events revolving around the movie. Two movie screenings in the local movie theater, a breakfast, walking tours, memorabilia etc..
There are really a lot of people that show up to see that groundhog.
I was in the area delivering a load when I was trucking so I went to see it just to be able say I had seen it.
I really blew my mind how many people were there.
It reminds me of a county fair happening.
Excellent video as always!
Fun fact: Harold Ramis, the director (and Bill Murray's co-star in Ghostbusters), knew Bill Murray very well (although they had a falling out after-and largely due to-this movie), and because of this, he decided to film the scenes in reverse order. That way, Murray's freshest performances would be in the later scenes, when Phil was supposed to be happy, and when Murray started to get jaded and annoyed with the film, they would be filming the scenes where Phil is a jaded, narcissistic jerk. Absolutely genius move.
A year and a half later viewing, and two months later reading, but thank you! I've absolutely loved this movie ever since the very first time I saw it at the theatre in college, waaaay back in '93. I knew about all the trouble between Murray and Ramis, and all the rewrites, and so many details about the production, but I never knew about the reverse order! Apparently that's just as well-known! I guess if you pay attention, you can learn something new every day! Thanks!!
Having now seen first time reactions to this movie over and over and over ad infinitum, I have developed a theory as to why the day keeps repeating (in the movie, that is, not my life). When Rita tells Phil on the first Groundhog's Day to try it again without the sarcasm and he blows her off, someone upstairs (or downstairs) was apparently listening and decided to make him relive the day until he did what she'd asked.
That's a great theory!
Most of this was filmed in Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois. The town square which was used for "Gobbler's Knob" remains largely unchanged since the filming. The ledge he jumps from at the top of the Opera House was built specifically for the movie and was left after filming. It can still be seen today.
Haha that's actually super dark! "And there's the ledge we built so someone could kill themselves!"
TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY! FEBRUARY 2ND, 1967! What a PERFECT way to spend my birthday, watching my birthday movie with you, Addie! HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!!
Addie,
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. I have been to Woodstock, Illinois where they filmed this, and have toured all around their downtown. It is really neat. The Cafe is now a Mexican restaurant, we ate there while we were there. The bed and breakfast is a real bed and breakfast in real life, though when it was filmed, it was a private residence.
There are historical markers all over the town showing where everything took place.
the best is watching the movie in the theater there on Groundhog's Day. They do it every year weather it's an anniversary or not. They use to invite the location scout and other production people from the crew to talk about different behind the scenes stuff that was specific to the town. Like the section of tracks they used to film on and so on. I remember when a couple of my classmates talked about going and watching the filming the week after in school.
IMO, this is one of the best movies ever. More real life lessons than pretty much any other film. There was even a car chase, a bank heist, and an explosion. And a cute animal. :)
I agree with you, there is a huge lesson in this movie, be a better person, make most of each day that you are giving.
Not the best, but just one of those near perfect movies in a genre - or a combination of genres like this one. Like what Total Recall did for action movies. The 1990s were a good decade. And of course, Bill Murray is a force of nature. His wit, facial expression and timing always delivers.
It's bland & very repetitive. The plot is boring & ridiculous.
I too think this movie is one of the greatest ever made.
@@paulbrawley2595 How so?
The “I’m thinking” line when given the choice of going back to Punxsutawney or freezing to death is a call back to Jack Benny. Part of his persona was being cheap, and he had a famous response to the old threat “Your money or your life!” by pausing for a while and then saying, “I’m thinking it over.” Probably the most famous punchline of all time.
8:17 - Harold Ramis(who played the doctor in this scene) directed this movie, and also played Egon in GHOSTBUSTERS.
I had to laugh when you asked,"Is he gonna get stuck here?"😂
Imagine how insane Phil's life must be at that point. 33+ years without access to a hot shower in a cold winter. Hell no.
Growing up outside Punxsutawney I can assure you it is some peoples favorite holiday
I was a news photographer, and they do call themselves the talent 😆
This is one of my all time favorite movies, from the music, to the writing to the acting.
The more reactions I watch the more I respect the actor who plays Ned.
Stephen Tobolowsky is a pretty iconic character actor of this era, and he definitely deserves our respect :)
The director said he repeated the same day 10 years then changed his mind to 34 years. The screen writer said it was a 1000 years.
This movie is an underrated classic. Unique concept, great cast, emotional moments, and a lot of heart. Great reactions as always Addie! Glad you watched it! 😊
This movie is an underrated classic. Unique concept, great cast, emotional moments, and a lot of heart. Great reactions as always Addie! Glad you watched it! 😊
This movie is an underrated classic. Unique concept, great cast, emotional moments, and a lot of heart. Great reactions as always Addie! Glad you watched it! 😊
There are whole academic essays written about this film, some breaking down how long Phil was in the loop (it's a lot longer than you'd think), while others discuss the philosophical and theological aspects of his situation (fate, freewill, reincarnation, etc.). It's a testament to Murray, Ramis and everyone involved that such a simple, high concept story (person repeats the same day over and over) could be both enjoyable as entertainment and praised for its depth and substance. Add to that the tensions and problems behind the camera. Murray and Ramis (long-time friends and collaborators) had a falling out over this movie (apparently they mended things after several years, thankfully). Once you've seen this movie, it sticks with you.
This is basically a "modern" take on "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. The idea that one individual and their actions have an important impact on everything around them, and that they should try to be the best person they can because of it.
Fun fact: They filmed the scene where the truck goes into the quarry just a couple miles from me! And the bulk of the movie in the town of Woodstock, IL just about an hour away! And I still love this movie :D
It's interesting that he basically goes through the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Being stuck in time is almost like facing your own death, because you can't fully live anymore.
The movie was actually filmed in a little town in Illinois called Woodstock. Me and a friend of mine visited it last year, and the town STILL looks almost identical to how it looked 30 years ago - minus some obvious updates to some of the store fronts - but aside from that, I legit felt like I was in the movie!
Every year on Groundhog Day, they actually have a big festival in the town, just like in the movie. The movie theater there even does a 24 hour screening of the movie on Groundhog Day as well lol
Somebody said to get as proficient as he did in all those tasks, the days stuck would be in the low thousands of days-possibly near 12,000 days according to one article that added it up. Especially to get good at the skills where he’d have a limited amount of time to practice like the piano, ice sculpting, and implied multiple languages would taking longer than you’d think.
I read that one of the scenes they cut or maybe didn’t even film was going to show he went to the library and read one page of a book each day and that at one point he realized he had read every book in the library. Harold Ramis, the director once, said it was a 10 year loop, but then later said it was probably 30-40 years. So the actual number is a mystery I guess.
@@Fonny222 Yeah, there are a lot more clues the original count was definitely going to be shown a lot higher. Like I read he was going to teach himself how to drive every vehicle in town, including construction; he was going to learn how-to skills like carpentry, plumbing, and wiring; and also he was going to take up multiple styles of cooking at pro chef levels.
it wasn't just all the skills that he learned, though... he knew, from MEMORY, down to the SECOND, when every single thing in the entire town was going to happen... what everyone was going to say, where they were going to be, when they would fall, get a flat tire, or choke, which direction they would be looking in... he knew every town person's complete back story, too... meaning that he must have spent days or weeks or years with each one individually getting to know them. It's unrealistic that the suicidal depression only lasted a few days as seen in the film, too. Realistically that went on for 5, 10, or 20 years, perhaps longer. Without any help and nothing changing day in day out, he could have spent a century like that. There's so much that must have happened off-screen, many thousands of times more than what is on-screen. I always feel like people are severely underestimating how much time he must have spent in the loop when they ONLY consider the skills we are seen and then give a conservative estimate of how long it would take to learn each skill, as if Phil was on a speed run trying to power level his way through becoming a chiropractor, piano virtuoso, card flipping champ, ice sculptor, French poetry scholar, et cetera. He probably picked up most of those skills just out of complete boredom over the course of centuries, not because he set out at the beginning to learn each one as fast as he could.
@@nooneofconsequence1251 Exactly. I think the people suggesting 30ish years are lowballing it. It almost deserves another movie depicting how messed up he'd be after returning to reality, but modern Hollywood would just mess it up.
This has always been one of my favorites. It works for both Groundhog Day and Valentines Day.
And for the day before you leave for Wrestlemania.
The amount of heart this film has never ceases to amaze me. So many little things that are so, so funny. Just watch Stephen Tobolowsky's face after Murray punches Needle Nose Ned Ryerson. Priceless. I originally hail from Western PA and know someone who went several times to the festivities, and they said it never failed to be wild. I don't know how many times I've watched this movie and I love seeing others experience this gem for the first time. Great reaction Addie, thanks.
Phil goes through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, depression, bargaining, acceptance
Addie "Is he going to get stuck here?"
Me ROFL : "You could say that"
Hi Addie, thanks for reacting to this! One of my favorite movies. I also consider it to be Bill Murray's best, even though I absolutely loved him in Ghostbusters. But this movie, he's so good with the comedy portions, but he's also amazing in the levels of despair he displays. And then he can be so charming and delightful as he tries to help the old man and helping all of the people around town. He even gets a musical interlude! And then of course, he's wonderful in the romantic parts, and his display of affections for Rita and his delivery of those loving lines... it's hard to beat. This movie showcases all of Bill's abilities, and he shines throughout.
"Happy Birthday?" Lol. I wondered how you were getting out of that one - well played!
Addie asks, "Oh, is he gonna get stuck here?"
Yes. Yes, he is...
Saw this one in the theater and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not the first movie to feature a "time loop" plot, but it did a lot to popularize the concept in the west.
Count up every skill he mastered and assume 100,000 hours of dedicated work on each skill, plus the time spent dividing his attention between each skill to work on others, he could have been repeating that day for hundreds of years. One mistake was the piano teacher at the dance. She claimed he was her student. Even if he had gone to see her on that day, she would have told him there was nothing she could teach him.
It would be fun to see a fan film where we see the Tardis land near town and The Doctor repair the time loop on Phil's last day. It would just be coincidence that it was on his best day.
Yep, Jim, nice job, I have said that for years, about the piano teacher... Also, always wondered why he asked the couple, how the wedding went, for apparently was not invited🤔 unless, he just turned down the invitation, because he knew he had so much to do, giving them the nice Wrestlmania tickets, in lieu of. But in a word, Great!!! Excellent Continuity thru out the movie.... A really tough directorial task.
Supposedly for the Movie
8 years and 8 months
From the Story it was a Lifetime
to see what a life would be with more than one lifetime
I think one time in a panel, the Director and the writer revealed that he was stuck in the same day roughly around 10 years to learn everything he did and learn all the town
The Nancy Taylor trick/scenario strongly suggests that Ned Ryerson, who Phil doesn't remember, has played the same trick on Phil. Ned Ryerson is stuck in his own groundhog day hell too.
An interesting tidbit for you - when Navy ship's cross the international Date Line from West to East, this movie is often shown on the ship's TV station (day of or night before). You get to live the same day twice so to speak. :)
One of the best movies ever made. So happy you're doing this one. You do great work Addie 😁🤣😊
The mayor is Brian Doyle Murray- Bill's older brother.
Bill Murray was/is notorious for getting very curmudgeonly over the course of a film's development; the running story is director Harold Ramis used that knowledge when filming. The later scenes were filmed first, when Murray was at his most likeable, and the beginning scenes were filmed last, when he had returned to his normal acerbic self.
As a post-script, this film marked the end of Ramis and Murray's friendship; they didn't speak to eachother until just before Ramis died in 2014.
26:39 😂 exactly what I said
A truly perfect movie. I am watching this reaction on Groundhog Day, which also happens to be my birthday, so thank you for the shoutout to both! Watching people react to this, I'm kind of amazed how rarely people comment on how much of a jerk Phil is at the beginning of the movie. He's a truly awful person, he's a mean jerk to co-workers and strangers, he manipulates women into sleeping with him because he can get away with it and openly tries to do the same to Rita, save scumming his way through their dates. He only realizes what an empty shell of a person he is after she slaps him several dozen times... but then he does genuinely change, which is heartwarming and lovely. A great watch and a fun rewatch when you know what's coming.
I think he does stay up until 6:00 multiple times, but the only one they really show is when he snaps the pencil in half and waits watching the clock. He seems surprised when he wakes up the next time and I took that to mean he instantly went from staring at the broken pencil and the clock to awake at 6:00. I also assume he watches Rita until 6:00 the day he opens up to her about his situation.
Many of us (random strangers) hope that Groundhog Day 2 is released in theaters, and that it is actually just Groundhog Day. Guaranteed no one would walk out.
"I re-life the same Day over and over again"
EVERY OTHER Movie/Show/Game/Whatever:
"You mean like Groundhog Day ?"
"This is the one time television fails to capture the excitement of a large squirrel, predicting the weather.."
Great reaction Addie, you almost made me tear up. Live everyday to the fullest, how many things he did in one day to help people and make a difference. There are fewer days ahead than there are behind, especially in Phil's case, but tomorrow isn't a giving to any of us...when he says to Rita, I dont care what happens tomorrow or the next day, im happy right now..then it started snowing, he got it right. Big blessings and love being sent your way.
It has become kind of a tradition to watch Groundhog Day reactions every year and warn them that they have to keep on doing the reaction until they get it right
I first saw this movie in 2004, when I was 16 and it became one of my favorites, I watched it so many times, tried to understand it deeper. I couldn't then know how close this film is to perfection, which it is possible to get in films. At first, I perceived it as a comedy fantasy and a love drama at the same time. Now, after so many years, I would say that behind the whole comedy lies a psychological thriller and a deep philosophical drama, because Groundhog Day has become synonymous with repetitive gray days of life in which nothing changes, this is the philosophy of life in the moment "now", and not tomorrow , about how love changes a person, his perception of even repeating things, about growing up a person when he becomes mature and knows how to value his time, regardless of whether he is stuck in eternity or lives out the rest of his life, and also despite the fact that he knows everything about his day, for him every day has become special and there is always something to be surprised at and he welcomes change. It is unlikely that he was so happy about the dawn of a new day earlier than at the end of the film.
Someone out there calculated on the basis of the theory of 10,000 hours to become a pro in every skill that Phil spent about 30-40 years. But I would say that if you have 100% free time, then learning how to play the piano so well two songs is a matter of one year, but you can multiply it by 3-5, because the teacher cannot always teach everything and cover everything, but the piano performance in this film is quite professional in many ways. For example, a teacher can teach you to hit a metronome, but it is unlikely that a teacher who sees you for the first time will immediately tell you that the discrepancy with the metronome must be within 15-20 milliseconds in order to consider this a hit. With his ice carving, it is also unclear whether he can do a couple of figures or many. I think he most likely spent 10-15 years in this day, since this may be some real time that the script creator spent in the gray days of his life until he fell in love, that changed him. That is, most likely it happened before the screenwriter turned 40, and I consider the time after graduation from the university and working days, something like that.
It's nice that you liked it. You can check one another non-comedy movie with Bill Murray - Broken Flowers. The role is scripted specially for Bill Murray. But this film is not at all funny, but also philosophical and in some ways continues this theme. But it is even more difficult to comprehend.
Basically Phil was living the pandemic. 🤣
Love this movie. Play my DVD every year. ✌️❤️🌹
The guy announcing six more weeks of winter is Bill Murray's brother.
Everyone estimates a different amount of time he was in the loop. Apparently some say 33 years, some say 500, some say 10,000
The 30th anniversary of this film is the 12th.
If you liked this concept, try Happy Deathday.
Happy Death Day is underrated and so much fun.
Still shocks me to see how excited Zod was to go to WrestleMania!
Well… no quaint southern detectives to ruin your inheritance at Wrestlemania.
Danny Rubin, the story creator and scriptwriter, has said in an interview that one of the possible endings was for Rita to be in her own loop day on the 3rd Feb, the day after Phil comes out of his loop day.
What makes this comedy so great is that it is not _just_ an expertly executed comedy, it also gets really dark and really sad at times. I think that’s what makes the movie linger with you.
Lost in Translation is another great Bill Murray movie that is comedic but also very deep. (And it also has a great Scarlett Johannson not doing superhero stuff.)
Hey Addie!! Just wanted to thank you for always brightening up my days, and for another great reaction to one of my favourite movies!! 😀!!
"Sometimes people just die"
"Not today"
One of many of the great lines in this movie. Phil tries to fake changing his life and it doesn't work, in the end only when he actually changed did the day change.
"He's about to pay a lot in insurance now." LOL! 😄
"He's about to pay a lot in insurance now." 🤣 That was my first thought too!
When she says "you said to stay so I stayed", his reply is just amazing lol.
"I said stay so you stayed? Ha, I cant even get a collie to stay". I remember spitting my drink on that line first time I saw this film.
The sweetest reaction to the sweetest movie! Thanks, Addie!
"Oh, is he going to get stuck here?" is the best question!
I drove to the place they filmed it. Not Punxatawney is Woodstock, Illinois. Charming little town square with plenty of placards of where scenes happened. Plus, the bed & breakfast where Phil stayed.
“He’s gonna be stuck here”
You have no idea!😂😂
One of my favourites; it's up there with It's a wonderful life, Field of dreams, Life as a house, etc.
One of my all-time favorite movies!!!
It should be required by law that every radio station play "I Got You Babe" at 6 am on February 2nd. I'm sure some do
28:33 Phil is seen reliving Groundhog Day 38 times in the movie, while another 414 days were mentioned in the film. Today is this classic movie's 30th anniversary and is being re-released in theaters.
"I thought the movie would end with him slipping and breaking his back." I've been watching your reactions for a good year now...and I had NO idea that you had such a dark sense of humor. Fantastic. More of this please. ^_^
Fantastic movie ( and reaction 🙂👍). Bill Murray never fail, no matter what role, he does it perfectly.
Another great movie where he shines, Lost in Translation, costarring Scarlett Johansson.
This is one of my favourites films of all time! A timeless classic!
I just got home frim Punxatawney fromw tidays ceremony. Its one of the most fun things i do. 20k people drunk and partying since noon yesterday. Its a quaint little town thst is as fruendly and hospitable as u will find. 20k drunk people at 7 am is an interesting site, all trying to see a furry animal. Its a sught i recomend to anyone within a 3-4 hr drive. The movie is fun as well. Its all about personal growth with a few fun twists.
Time loop scenarios are some of my favorite plots, and so many shows have an episode about, so many different kinds of movies with the premise, even some videogames!
Palm Springs, Happy Death Day, Source Code, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, an episode of Gravity Falls, of Dark Matter, even a My Little Pony special!
They're always a treat. I like when the thing shows its own spin on it too.
I've never seen this movie though, funnily.
I used to have a ground hog live in my backyard, so cute!
Thanks Addie for this timely reaction. It was lots of fun. Now If you liked this concept "12:01" with Jonathan Silverman & Helen Slater is also fun and "EDGE OF TOMORROW" is a far superior movie!
“Oh, he’s absolutely going to get stuck here.”
If you only knew, at the time you uttered those words, how right you really were.
For more Andi McDowell you really need to see Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Michael.
You definitely need to see Stripes and Caddyshack for fantastic Murray
When he first takes the old man to the hospital, in the background of the ER is the boy with a broken leg who fell out of a tree whom Phil later saved from falling.
It's been carefully calculated that Phil relived the day for at least 34 years.
22:36 The kid who Phil saved falling off the tree is in the background with a cast on his leg.
Bill Murray alias Phil really plays the piano in real life, his real brother is Brian Doyle Murray the guy choking is his older brother. Most people don't remember he was hit by a snow shovel, hence why he was forgetting everyday. Great movie, it was serious and yet funny. thank you Addie for your young lady reaction. Off subject another good movie is late Robin Williams RV , also Steve Carel, Lauren Graham "Evan Almighty", Thanks.