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Film Released: 1993
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy,   Romance
Film Directed by: Harold Ramis
Cast/Actors include : Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott
 

Cynical TV weather man Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) is sent to  Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the celebration for Groundhog Day on 2nd February, accompanied by his producer Rita (played by Andie MacDowell and cameraman Larry (played by Chris Elliott). After the festivities finish, the threestart on their journey home only to find a blizzard which Phil had predicted would miss them, closes all the roads which forces them to return to Punxsutawney to spend another night there.

However, when Phil awakens the next morning he finds it's 2nd February .... again, with everything happening in exactly the same way - from the radio alarm going off at 6am with the same song playing and the same dialogue by the presenters, to meeting the same people at the same times. However, although he realises what's happening,  everyone else seems to be totally oblivious, merely living their own 2nd February for the first time. 

At first Phil tries to rationalise the situation, however after several reoccurrences, he begins to believe he's mad, attempting to kill himself several times.  After many repetitions of his Groundhog Day, he decides to takes advantage of  the situation, realising that he can do what he likes with no long-term consequences and goes on a "bender" of immoral behaviour includingstealing money, drunk driving and seducing women.  However, when his daily attempts to seduce Rita keep failing,  he eventually decides to open up to her, explaining about his predicament. After some scpeticism, Rita advises him to make the most of the situation by doing some good for those around him and achieving self-improvement by educating himself on a daily basis.

Although it's not clear in the film how many times he relives Groundhog day, it is certainly enough times for him to learn how to play the piano, ice-sculpture, speak French and memorise the life stories of practically everyone in the town, including Rita, as well as specific events which enables him to perform many good deeds including saving the life of a choking man and a little boy who falls out of a tree.
 

Eventually, his growth into an understanding and sincere person results in him being popular and appreciated by everyone, including Rita with whom he has genuinely fallen love and it's only at that point that his Groundhog day ends.

Whilst trying to find out things about Rita in order to seduce her, Phil finds out  she loves the dish we've chosen. In the film, he has bought it ready made, but here's a recipe for a home-made version.

Rocky Road Ice Cream 

10mins plus cooling & freezing

Serves 4-6    Vegetarian   Cold  Nuts Dessert  Ices

Ingredients
1 x 200g/7oz tin Sweetened Condensed Milk
25g/1oz  Cocoa Powder
240ml/8fl.oz. Double Cream
120ml/4fl.oz. Milk
1 teasp Vanilla Extract
25g/1oz roughly chopped Almonds
25g/1oz Miniature Marshmallows


Instructions

1. Place the condensed milk and cocoa powder in a medium sized saucepan and cook, stirring, over low heat for about 5 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened. Remove from heat , and allow to cool a little.

2. Stir in the  cream, milk and vanilla, mix well then  refrigerate until cold.

3. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze-churn according to manufacturer's directions adding the chopped nuts and marshmallows half way through the freezing process.

Variations:   Use pecan nuts or Walnuts in place of the almonds

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