ACF#24: Groundhog Day

 

Today’s podcast is Groundhog Day, because this is the 25th anniversary of the movie. The Federalist’s Robert Tracinski joins me for a discussion of the best Bill Murray movie bar none–and one of the few contenders for comedy of the ’90s. We talk about the inescapability of character; about Harold Ramis’s Tocquevillian insight into American restlessness; about the big city and the small town; about liberal individualism and the divinity of all action no consequences; about relational being, love, and civic friendship; about French poetry and ice-sculpture; about Sonny, Cher and Rachmaninoff!

We also talk about Robert’s theory of Hollywood doubles.

Deep Impact and Armageddon.

The Man Who Knew Too Little and The Game.

Robin Williams’s What Dreams May Come also gets a mention.

We also talk about why comedy does not receive enough respect and recognition, not to say the honors bestowed during awards season, which is, alas, upon us…

Here’s Robert’s fine essay on the movie, finally!

Folks, listen, share, comment, and please give us a rating/review on iTunes!

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There are 4 comments.

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  1. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    I don’t listen to podcasts, but I watched this movie last night and couldn’t stop laughing through most of it. It really is funny.

    There are not enough genuinely funny movies out there. Laughter is good for people.

    Thank you for reviewing this movie.

    • #1
  2. Titus Techera Contributor
    Titus Techera
    @TitusTechera

    Thanks for the thanks! Glad you liked the movie.

    • #2
  3. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Enjoyable conversation. Thank you.

    • #3
  4. Titus Techera Contributor
    Titus Techera
    @TitusTechera

    Arahant (View Comment):
    Enjoyable conversation. Thank you.

    My pleasure, old friend. Pleasant surprise to see you’round these parts.

    I’m a big fan of city v. country American stories & I wish more were made. They don’t even have to be great–there’s a lot of comedy just in being honest about the stereotypes in each case & no one has got to take offense if the makers don’t go out of their way to give it.

    Americans are good at laughing at their inability to deal with each other if it’s done with some love for the country & the people. & secretly, they take pride in being weird, in a capacity to surprise onlookers…

    • #4
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