JP Hayes Essays (674 words) - English-language Films, Culture

JP Hayes Ms. Bingham World Religions and Film 26 October 2017 Groundhog Day and Buddhism The film Groundhog Day is about a news reporter Phil Connors, who is very selfish and is mean to most people he meets or spends his day with. When Phil goes to Punxsutawney to cover a story on groundhog day his life is changed and he becomes trapped living the same day over and over. At this point the movie becomes in direct relation with the Buddhist religion and their beliefs. Monks practicing Buddhism will often follow the eight fold path which will lead them to nirvana. In the film Phil must pursue parts of the eight fold path such as right action, speech, and livelihood in order to reach his own nirvana or his case escaping his never ending day. While Phil is living the same day over and over he runs into the same people and occurrences everyday but for awhile he does not handle the situations right. For example when Phil runs into Ned Ryerson every morning Ned is trying to make conversation and catch up while Phil generally ignores, yells, or punches him. Phil is trapped in this same day because he is a terrible person who only cares about himself but it takes him awhile to realize that. As the film goes on Phil starts to treat Ned nicely in the morning and even ends up buying insurance from Ned making him a lot of money. The point is Phil began practicing right action meaning he does the right thing for people everyday and tries to help them. Another example Phil showing right action is when he fixes the tire of an old woman's car with out being asked to help. In the beginning of the film Phil asked a girl eating in the diner a series of personal questions so that he could remember her answers and act like he knew her very well the next day to spark some romance. Phil uses this same strategy with his coworker Rita in attempt to try and get her in bed with him but it does not work. Eventually Phil stops using that tactic and he tries to win over Rita by acting like the new Phil you see at the end of the movie. It turns out by being honest and using kind words towards Rita, Phil is finally able to win her over. The final piece of the eight fold path that Phil follows in the film is the idea of right livelihood. At first it is obvious Phil does not enjoy his work or the people he works with because he thinks he is better then them all. Every morning Phil would have to cover the same news story which made him be a jerk to his coworkers and be very dull with his new stories. One morning Phil shows up to the groundhog celebration where he is recording with coffee and donuts for his coworkers. Not only does Phil bring treats but also he is very exciting for the day of work ahead of him which is unlike Phil. This is a perfect example of right livelihood because Phil comes to work prepared and ready to help out anyone. Throughout the movie the audience sees a complete change in Phil as he realizes the terrible life he is living and what he can do to fix it. Just like a follower of Buddhism stuck in a life a suffering Phil was stuck in the same day which caused him great suffering. Phil was able to obtain a lot of knowledge while living the same day which caused him to try and change his ways of life. Just like a person trying to reach nirvana Phil had to show he has good morals throughout a series of events that eventually leads him to his nirvana. Phil's nirvana is escaping the day he keeps reliving but not only does he do that but also Phil becomes a better person and finds a soulmate.