Phil Connor finds himself in an unending meaningless circle of days–and it doesn’t take movie fantasy for people to relate to his situation.
When an unpredicted blizzard prevents Phil from returning to Pittsburgh that night he goes to sleep in a bed’n’breakfast only to wake up–again–on the morning of February 2nd, where yesterday’s events march in lock-step repetition. Only Phil seems aware that they are living the day over again. It becomes clear that only Phil is, in fact, living the day over, and he is destined to live the same day again and again–perhaps 10,000 times or more until . . . what? The curse of a life with no destination takes its toll on Phil until he at last learns the lessons hidden in a single day.
The scenes in a bowling alley and a diner are deep theology hidden in comedy like jelly inside a doughnut, and for those with ears to hear, the Holy Spirit is speaking, again and again. That’s why in my opinion you should watch the film and listen to the voice of God. With some help from the Holy Spirit, you’ll see the deep theology of Groundhog Day.
This article on the theology of Groundhog Day originally appeared here, and is used by permission.
