15. Groundhog Day and the Five Stages of Grief

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     Groundhog Day is a film starring Bill Murray as Phil, the protagonist. Our protagonist is a weatherman who travels to a town to cover their celebration of Groundhog Day. When Phil and his crew try to leave the town, they are turned back because of a storm. The next day, Phil wakes up to see that it is Groundhog Day all over again. And this happens over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again until finally the day is saved after the perfect night with Rita. This film is, apparently, supposed to be a great example of the 5 stages of Grief as it is said to be based on the Kubler-Ross model. So here goes:

Denial: Phil experiences denial when he wakes up and sees that it is Groundhog Day again for the first time. Everything is the same as the day before, and it is clear to the viewer what is happening. But Phil is in denial, as he continually asks what day it is, and asserts that everything he is doing, he has done before.

Phil during one of his suicide attempts (source)

Anger: Phil experiences anger on more than one occasion in the movie. One time would be when he hits Ned after repeating their meeting. Another time is when he smashes the alarm clock in his hotel room, as he wakes up to the same Sonny & Cher song. He is angry at his situation, and in these instances he is taking that anger out on other people and things.
Bargaining: Phil begins to bargain his way out of the situation as he attempts to make the perfect day with Rita. It seems as though his thought process might be that if he succeeds in making Rita fall in love with him, then the day will be over. So he continues to make the perfect day in the hopes of seeing the next day.
Depression: Phil makes several attempts to end his life during the course of the film. Each time, he dies on Groundhog Day. Despite successfully committing suicide, he still wakes up in the same bed every morning, on Groundhog Day. He is feeling depressed about his situation, and the fact that nothing he does is changing it. So in his depression, he tries to end the situation for good.
Acceptance: Phil begins to accept his situation as he uses it for his own benefit. He begins piano lessons, and gets really good at it. He makes friends with every person in town. He makes honest attempts at bettering the lives of the townspeople. He even admits that there is nothing he can do about the situation. Once he accepts that he cannot change what is happening, he begins to see the bright side and do things that will really benefit him.

     And there we have it. The 5 stages of Grief as they pertain to Groundhog Day.