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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Anonymous; as told to Kitty Drake

My cultural awakening: Groundhog Day made me quit my job, move house and leave my girlfriend

‘I’ve never watched Groundhog Day again.’
‘I’ve never watched Groundhog Day again.’ Illustration: Martin O'Neill/The Guardian

I didn’t know anything about the plot of Groundhog Day before I decided to watch it 10 years ago. I remember collapsing on to the sofa after work – completely exhausted – and putting it on. My girlfriend was already asleep in the next room. Her drinking had been getting steadily worse that year, but I think we were both in denial about it. Most evenings I’d spend alone, so I’d put a movie on in the background for company.

I found it funny at first, watching Bill Murray’s character trapped in a time-loop. But about 20 minutes in, I started feeling this creeping sense of dread. I remember seeing Murray’s white alarm clock going off, waking him up to begin the same day and feeling this horrible spark of recognition. It was like watching my own life play out on the screen in front of me.

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