Escaping the Cave

                                                             Escaping the Cave




            In the movie “Groundhog Day,” Phil was a self-centered man who couldn’t care less about anyone except himself. Although he boasted arrogant confidence to his coworkers and everyone else around him, deep inside Phil was living in a shadow. He was an unhappy person with little excitement for life. Also, Phil lacked kindness and respect for people. While his cameraman and producer stayed at a modest hotel, Phil stayed at a nice bed and breakfast inn. Despising his job as a weatherman, Phil was on the verge of quitting his job. In fact, Phil regarded his job as ridiculous and an embarrassment. The shadow that surrounded Phil was his lack of purpose in life. As a result, Phil was a lonely and bitter man stuck in a cave without any true friends.



               When power is placed in a person’s hands, true character becomes unraveled. Magically, Groundhog Day becomes a daily repeated cycle. Phil’s self-centered character is revealed by the choices he makes. Accustomed to living in his shadow, Phil suddenly feels empowered and quickly takes advantage of the situation. Due to the lack of consequences, Phil makes decisions that reflect his self-centered character. Without consideration for others, he pursues all the things that he believes will make him happy. Instead, Phil is left with short-term achievements and discovers that he can’t have everything he wants.



            Phil leaves the cave with his shadow following not too far behind. At first, he is full of contentment as he lives his life fearlessly and without discipline. Phil steals money, takes advantage of women by luring them to bed, and disregards his own health. However, he realizes that even his newfound power cannot give him the one thing missing in is life, which is true love. When Phil incessantly fails to take advantage of Rita, his producer, and material things no longer makes him happy, Phil finds himself shrouded in his bitter shadow again.



              Once Phil discovers that money and material things can’t provide happiness to his life, he becomes depressed and even suicidal. However, Phil begins to see the light from the cave when he finds that there are more important things than just caring about him self. By helping others, embracing art and music, and truly caring for Rita, Phil discerns true happiness that he had never felt before. The message about the path of enlightenment is transition from selfishness to selflessness. Phil was able to see the light from the cave because he was able to break away from his old self-centered character by caring about people. There are many financially rich people that live poor lives. If money and power are stripped, then all that’s left is what truly remains.