Groundhog Day is a very interesting and entertaining movie about a meteorologist who becomes trapped in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It stars the hysterical Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a sarcastic Philadelphia weatherman who is far too full of himself. He travels with the entourage of cameraman Larry, Chris Elliott, and his lust interest Rita, played by Andie MacDowell. Phil lives through the same day, Groundhog's day, repeatedly with no consequences. Each time around he does things a bit differently, yet little is changed. Strangely enough, the movie applies to what we are learning in religion class.
Some may say all roads lead to Rome, but Mr. Muldoon would retort with all situations lead to Kohlberg. Some would call him obsessed, but Kohlberg's stages are actually applicable to the movie. We first meet Phil (not the groundhog) at rock bottom, stage zero (egocentric reasoning). He is completely self serving and egocentric. When the trio reaches Punxsutawney, Phil gripes about the hotel he thought he was staying at, and makes numerous other selfish comments. The best example of his egocentric ways would have to be after he realizes that he faces no consequences and starts to explore the seven deadly sins. Pride is what he began with, feeling that he was incredibly entitled, then later gluttony when he decided to eat every morning food ever conceived at the diner. Lust takes over with his lunges at a night with Rita. He then shows greed when he robs an armored car, envy at his lack of qualities desired by Rita, and anger and sloth when he loses hope and attempts suicide to no avail. He sees it as his way or the highway because he is the "talent."
The climb up the ladder of stages was a l ...