The Greatest Valentine Movie
Groundhog's day
For my money, Groundhog Day, is the greatest Valentine Movie because it works on so many levels that I really don’t know where to begin.
And most assuredly, I should flesh out my thoughts on the film, as I can’t seem to find anything in recent memory just like it.
First, there's a test for whether a film truly ages well.
You know it works when your children
under ten
will sit through it without complaint.
Groundhog Day passes that test.
What elevates this movie is that it is greater than the story it shares. This film tells us something essential about where America is heading and its true character, much like Alexis de Tocqueville wrote about in Democracy in America
This is not the 1960s and the conflicts now are but a shadow of former times and we will find common ground, and there will be no civil war.
All of this from coffee and thinking about Groundhog Day.
You can say I’m nuts, but think about what I’m saying and also
So what if it's not a 400-page McKinsey research report.
Do YOU know how much MONEY the movie made? A lot more than any grant for one writer to share his thoughts based on the agenda of the grant writer.
In art, especially movies, there needs to be a consensus. Just like
LOVE
POLITICS
There was passionate disagreement on the film set and Bill Murray and Harold Ramis, the director, were not talking. But ever the professionals, they finished the film and made cinematic history.
So why do I saw this?
On the surface, Bill Murray is the cynical city slicker who feels he is meant for greater things but is stuck with the yokel Chris Elliott and the every-modest, conservative Andie McDowell in a divine punishment: reliving the same day over and over again.
He goes through every stage I feel we have seen play out over social media, news, and politics over the past 10 years.
Isn’t it ironic that the key turning point in the movie is about a homeless man Murray tries to save? Something of which is a casus belli in the news?
Murray desperately tries to save the homeless man in every loop and fails. Eventually, he accepts his limits and focuses on what he can actually contribute.
That's where many voters are headed.
Accepting their strengths and weaknesses.
Once Bill Murray realizes he is not god and he cannot help everyone, he just tries to be a better person. Only then does Andie McDowell fall in love withhim.
In this clip below, this is what most Valentine's days are like… just trying to make the other person happy and pleasing. in a crafty sort of way.
For one purpose.
But at the end of the movie, the value he adds and the contribution he gives back to the community
IN JUST ONE DAY
makes her change her opinion
YES, one day can make a difference
And I feel there will be a point where the cynicism will just end, and self-reflection will occur
I think John Fetterman is reflecting what many people are thinking. He's the first Democrat willing to say out loud that some problems can't be solved by good intentions alone.
Others will follow.
Agree or disagree
All the elements of one life are reflected in this film, from good to evil.
And on this wonderful 2026 Valentines
Forgive yourself.
Be who you are.
And spend the time you are given with the one you love.
Pleasant Sunday
Eric