It was indeed a waste of time with regards to Phil's intentions...

Ironically, none of the things he tried with Rita in those endless loops got him anywhere. It was his change of person that finally allowed him to achieve what he couldn't with French poetry and vermouth..

It was his change of person that finally allowed him to achieve...

Here's a question I was thinking about (after watching this again for the upteenth time:- Is Phil really a "changed" man or is he just a resigned man? What happens in the days that follow Groundhog Day - does the new Phil stay or does he revert back to cynicism?

@The Midi-chlorian Count said:

Is Phil really a "changed" man or is he just a resigned man?

For movie purposes, he's truly changed according to the script (no other evidence supports any other conclusion). If this were reality, I'd still say he changed although this at least is my opinion.

I have seen people change because of life's experiences. I've seen a violent person become a loving caring individual. I've seen a selfish person change after becoming a parent. It doesn't say in the movie but for Phil to have learned about everyone and every situation in that town, it would have taken many, many years possibly hundreds or even thousands. We are only given a tiny glimpse at what he did. He came to realize that he could get more enjoyment out of life by learning things and caring about others.

@Midi-chlorian_Count said:

It was his change of person that finally allowed him to achieve...

Here's a question I was thinking about (after watching this again for the upteenth time:- Is Phil really a "changed" man or is he just a resigned man? What happens in the days that follow Groundhog Day - does the new Phil stay or does he revert back to cynicism?

She doesn’t like him because they have different values. He is materialistic and cynical, selfish. He tries to win her over by being clever, using tricks, say what she wants to hear. While being in the loop, he tries everything to make something different happen…not just with her but in life. The universe. Anything to keep having the same day. Money didn’t change anything. Or fame. Or sex. Killing himself didn’t even change anything.

When you question everything, truly, you can certainly change your point of view and what you value. I like to think he started to understand how she saw the world and changed to the point that he shared her values.

@mysoulishome said:

@Midi-chlorian_Count said:

It was his change of person that finally allowed him to achieve...

Here's a question I was thinking about (after watching this again for the upteenth time:- Is Phil really a "changed" man or is he just a resigned man? What happens in the days that follow Groundhog Day - does the new Phil stay or does he revert back to cynicism?

She doesn’t like him because they have different values. He is materialistic and cynical, selfish. He tries to win her over by being clever, using tricks, say what she wants to hear. While being in the loop, he tries everything to make something different happen…not just with her but in life. The universe. Anything to keep having the same day. Money didn’t change anything. Or fame. Or sex. Killing himself didn’t even change anything.

When you question everything, truly, you can certainly change your point of view and what you value. I like to think he started to understand how she saw the world and changed to the point that he shared her values.

Your comments remind me of the line from Star Trek where Spock, quoting Sherlock Holmes, says "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

Yes, I think that's the key to Phil's change. He didn't suddenly change for the sake of winning the girl's heart, or even being a good person, but it's implied that he tried everything else and nothing worked. We can guess that he was stuck in the loop for many years; we only get the 100 min version. In all that time he was living every possible life he could imagine. So as Spock/Holmes said, he gradually eliminated everything until he was left with the 1 thing that works. It's actually a really optimistic message if you think about it. No matter who you are, how rotten your soul is, eventually you'll find your way by process of elimination. It's just a matter of how long it'll take you.