--- title: "Groundhog Day: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/groundhog-day/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/groundhog-day" critics_score: 87 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Groundhog Day (1993): what the critics said Critics' score 87 from 8 reviews: 8 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The consensus is firmly positive, with praise centred on Bill Murray’s deadpan timing and the warmth he brings to a cynical character. Most critics credit Harold Ramis’s restrained direction with keeping the time-loop premise inventive rather than repetitive. The script earns admiration for finding both comic possibilities and philosophical substance in its central idea, while several reviews also value the supporting performances. Murray’s resistance to easy sweetness is a recurring explanation for why the romance and sentiment work. The differences concern the degree of enthusiasm rather than any fundamental rejection of the film. Variety offers the clearest reservations, finding that the premise takes time to click and noting uneven tone and dry patches, though it still welcomes the warmth of the payoff. Elsewhere, the reviews differ over emphasis: some celebrate a comedy of ideas, while others respond chiefly to its gentleness and optimism. ## Radio Times — David Parkinson Rating 5/5. The review hails it as a contender for the best comedy of the 1990s, highlighting Bill Murray's career-best performance as the trapped weatherman and Ramis's inventive direction that keeps the one-gag concept fresh. Supporting turns by Tobolowsky and MacDowell are also singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-tffrlk/groundhog-day/) ## Time Out — GA Rating 5/5. The critic praises the script's rigorous exploration of every nuance of the time-loop premise and its mix of gags with philosophical depth. Ramis directs with a light touch that allows Murray's performance to shine in this comedy of ideas. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/groundhog-day) ## Empire — Caroline Westbrook Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Groundhog Day is one of the finest comedies of the 1990s, remaining fresh, funny and original after repeated viewings. Bill Murray delivers a career-best performance and director Harold Ramis avoids sentimentality in favour of hysterical set-pieces while offering no complex explanation for the time-loop premise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/groundhog-day-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 February 1993. The critic finds it the most endearing film from Murray and Ramis, a sweet surprise that uses the star's comic hostility to make sentimentality palatable in a gentle, small-scale effort. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-12-ca-1227-story.html) ## The New York Times — Caryn James Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 14 March 1993. The critic calls the film one of the season's most entertaining, crediting Bill Murray's likable cynicism for making the time-loop romance and social absurdity work as a major hit. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/14/movies/film-view-bill-murray-takes-on-de-niro-and-a-groundhog.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3/4. 12 February 1993. The critic praises the film's lovable and sweet take on self-redemption through a time-loop premise, highlighting its optimistic view of human nature and originality over formulaic comedy. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/groundhog-day-1993) ## Variety — Richard Natale Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 8 February 1993. The critic notes the premise takes time to click and the film is inconsistent in tone, but the payoff brings warmth; audiences will forgive dry patches and leave smiling thanks to the cast and Ramis's restrained direction. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1993/film/reviews/groundhog-day-2-1200431567/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Duane Byrge 8 February 1993. The critic finds the film a broad but sharply satirical comedy elevated by Murray's deadpan performance and Ramis' even-handed direction, which highlights the virtues of small-town life and its maturing effect on the cynical protagonist. A winning love subplot with Andie MacDowell adds narrative strength. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/groundhog-day-thrs-1993-review-769136/) ## HeyUGuys — Dave Roper Rating 5/5. 7 December 2012. The critic calls it an utterly brilliant film and one of the very best comedies ever made, with a flawless central concept and a nigh-on faultless lead performance from Bill Murray. They single out Murray's comic timing, pathos, and the moving arc from narcissist to selfless redeemer, along with strong supporting turns that keep their characters fresh despite repetition. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/groundhog-day-blu-ray-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/groundhog-day.md