Watched this 1993 movie "Groundhog Day" on TV over the weekend. This is an inspiring story. It's about a weather man played by Bill Murray being reluctantly sent to cover a story about a weather forecasting "rat" (as he calls it).
This is his fourth year on the story, and he makes no effort to hide his frustration. On awaking the 'following' day he discovers that it's Groundhog Day again, and again, and again which means he wakes up every morning at six, awakened by the same radio alarm playing the same song.
First he uses this to his advantage, then comes the realisation
that he is doomed to spend the rest of eternity in the same
place, seeing the same people do the same thing EVERY day.
It seems he's having the worst day of his life... over, and over...
until he starts to use it to his advantage. He uses it to woo
the lady (played by Andie MacDowell) he's attracted to. As
everyday progresses, he learns to be a step ahead of her,
knowing the things she likes (he's been there, remember?) and
in the process improving their relationship.
He also starts to change his life to make positive changes
in other people's life. He schedules his day to run errands
he calls it, timing his activities to put things right for others,
for example, he happens to be there when the boy falls from the
tree - he catches him just in time. He happens to be there when
the homeless man needs food. He happens to be there when the
ladies need a tyre changed or he happens to be there to help a
choking man. With each passing day, he becomes more appreciated
by the people around him. He even learns to play the piano
superbly surprising his lady love.
Well, romantic tales predictably end on a positive note. This one
does too as one day, he wakes up and finds that it's a brand
new day.
Heaven forbid, but what if one day you wake up and find that
you're stuck with living the same day over and over again.
What would you do? How would you live it?
Hey, I watched this flick long time ago on local TV and loved it. Very jolly and fun once he got the hang of it. Heartwarming, although the setting was very cold and deep in snow. And the happy ending was well deserved.
ReplyDeleteThe scenario is a lot like 'Tru Calling'. Only without dead people calling for help. It would definitely be frustrating to wake up to the same day again and again. But I guess we'll all learn and improvise. And hopefully, there's a happy ending for everyone who lived through the days to tell the story.
Come to think of it, I wonder if someone in an asylum somewhere out there is living this exact cycle, without much means and access to better the day. A tortured soul indeed. sigh*
ahh... THAT movie.. I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteThe underlying message is just so meaningful - appreciate every little thing, and people around you, live life like we've never lived before...
Thanks happy!
p/s: I remember panda once used this movie as example while commenting too.. It enlightened me a lot. Thanks panda too!
Agus, I believe there are pros and cons to everything. We just need to cultivate the skills to handle them.
ReplyDeleteSad about the inmates in the asylum. I suppose it makes no difference to them as they know no better.
"Tru Calling" - have yet to see it.
Talk about old movies, I just saw "When Harry Met Sally" last month on Hallmark, I think. That's such an old movie but somehow I didn't manage to watch it until recently. Have you seen it? I love the dialogue - so fun and hilarious. Watch it if you haven't. One thing good about cable TV is that movies get rotated and you'll get to see them if you missed any earlier.
YD, yes, a lovely and inspirational movie - lots of lessons to derive from.
ReplyDeleteHave yet to watch "Under the Tuscan Sun" though. Considering location being Tuscany, the scenery must be awesome. Diane Lane is one of my favourite actresses. Sorry I couldn't comment on yr post about 'love' but thought Pandabonium and MM offered very wise advice.
I really liked Groundhog Day, too.
ReplyDeleteI once heard someone theorize that "hell" is being trapped in the last moments leading up to your death and being forced to continue the cycle over and over again without being able to change it. I guess that would only be possible if you weren't aware you were caught in a loop. What if you suddenly "woke up" and realized you'd been doing the same thing over and over and over, always to die and wind up doing it again?
SHOCK!!!!!!!!
MM, very thought-provoking. That reminds me of a movie (a Chinese fairy tale) of this guy who has to go through one thousand lifetimes of unrequited love. The sad part being that he's aware of his fate. Sad is an understatement!
ReplyDeleteIs heaven and hell actually a state of mind?