Phil played by Bill Murray
is the main character of the film, the character who experiences the plot of
reliving the same day over and over again, the story revolves around, he could
be considered both the hero and villain of the story through Propps Character
theory. He breaks the stereotype of main characters as he makes a lot of
decisions which in countries the film was aimed at (first world, developed
countries like America) would be considered morally cruel or evil, he takes advantage
of his situation to take advantage of
the people around him ,this connotation of Phil’s reaction suggests that he is
immoral and at first is very selfish about his situation he acts selfishly in
multiple ways this shows to the audience the depth of Phil’s immorality and
blindness to anybody but him, however by the end of the movie he begins to act
more moral in his actions, helping people from what he learns through his first
thought negative situation which supports the theory of binary opposites as he,
the hero and villain, goes through stages of being good and evil. He goes from
breaking laws to saving lives. Phil’s actions with drunk country men supports
Cohens representation theory of marginalisation and demonization of groups and
cause moral panic as him and his friends cause trouble and break laws, they
cause trouble for other people and fit in with the stereotype of men being
violent and angry, the fact that this representation of Phil dissipates as the
film continues represents
Rita played by Andie MacDowell
is seen as the heroine of the propp character types, she is flirted with by
Phil but could also be described as the quest giver as Phil takes it upon
himself in later iterations of the day to make her believe and trust him. She
is difficult to convince and the characters are sent head to head in a battle
where one party is disgusted and appalled by the other while Phil just wants
Rita to believe him in his time of need. She fits a stereotype of a heroine as
she is the love of the main character, she is clueless to his struggles and
even dislikes him at the start of the movie however her heart is portrayed as
pure and she give the evil man a chance to show her the truth and she helps him
in his issue.
Larry played by Chris Elliot
could be seen as per the representation given to him from
the film as the princess’s father, he is portrayed as the man that Rita the
princess seems to be most interested in. he at first along with Rita is very
icy around Phil, he sticks to her side of the story and is often accompanying her
wherever she goes. When Phil is more villainous Larry steps in almost to
protect or back Rita up from the violent Phil. However when Phil begins to try
his best to save the people of Punxsutawney and be the best person he could be
by learning new skills and finding new hobbies to impress Rita Larry begins to
ease up and warm to him with Rita. This fits the male stereotype of protective
and strong but breaks the stereotype as Larry is seen as a softer and more
sympathetic to Rita than Phil is as he listens to her and respects her.
Ned played by Stephen Tobolowsky
Is represented as annoying sales pitcher for life insurance
who Phil despises at first. The representation of Ned attempting to interest
Phil in life insurance by telling him he knew him in school suggests that there
has been a past bond between them that was more important or memorable to one than
the other. Neds character is used as a medium for Phils character to react to,
his interactions with the main character are a part of Phils recurring day which
he does no enjoy, the precautions that Phil faces for his behaviour to Ned is stepping
into a cold icy puddle which Ned mocks him for.
