Loosetooth's Top Five: Bill Murray Movies

Bill Murray is a rarity in Hollywood, a man who doesn’t play by the rules, an A-lister who doesn’t even have an agent, if you want to get in contact with him you have to leave a voicemail, and Murray may or may not get back to you. It’s a method that doesn’t always work in his favour, because he infrequently reviews his messages he’s missed out on roles in films like Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Monsters Inc. and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

It’s also the reason he ended up becoming the voice of Garfield in the live action movie, believing that writer Joel Cohen was actually Joel Coen of The Coen Brothers…why he then voiced the fat feline in the sequel is anyone’s guess.

But never mind the never-was and could-of-beens, which are the crown jewels of Murray’s career thus far? Luckily for you Loosetooth is here with the answers.

5. Meatballs (1979)

Bill Murray first came to prominence in 1975 when he joined NBC’s Saturday Night Live, replacing Chevy Chase and becoming a main cast member in series two, and much like his fellow SNL alumni Chase, Dan Aykroyd, and John Belushi, SNL made him a star.

Murray’s film debut sees him take the role of Tripper, a kooky, yet caring councillor at a summer camp, who takes one of that year’s children, a shy boy named Rudy, under his wing.

According to co-writer Harold Ramis, who would become a frequent Murray collaborator, said it was uncertain if Murray would even turn up for the shoot, given he only signed up at the last minute due to his SNL commitment. In fact the red shorts/Hawaiian shirt combo Murray is seen wearing in the film are the same clothes he was wearing when he arrived on set.

4. Lost in Translation (2003)

Murray plays Bob Harris, a faded movie star alone in Tokyo, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young woman named Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson). It’s a role that would win Murray considerable praise. Of the many awards thrown at the film, Murray won a Best Actor Golden Globe, and BAFTA, but lost out on an Oscar, losing to Sean Penn for his role in Mystic River. Murray also ranks Lost in Translation as one of his personnel favourites.

Much of the film is based on director Sofia Coppola’s own life experiences, about her various trips to Japan in her Twenties, Charlotte’s relationship is based on Coppola’s own marriage, and the advertisement Harris is in Tokyo to film is based on a collaboration between her father, Francis Ford Coppola, and Japan’s own Akira Kurosawa.

3. Rushmore (1998)

Wes Anderson’s second feature film follows an eccentric and often pretentious schoolboy, played by Jason Schwartzman, who strikes up a friendship with the father of some fellow pupils, with the two eventually vying for the attention and affection of one of the school’s teachers.

Rushmore not only launched the careers of Anderson & Schwartzman, It would also spark an ongoing relationship between Anderson and Murray, with Murray appearing in every Anderson movie since, even if it’s just a cameo as in The Darjeeling Limited.

2. Groundhog Day (1993)

Murray is often at his best when he plays arrogant characters, the pinnacle of which is his role as TV weatherman Phil Connors. Connors finds himself sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to report on the town’s annual Groundhog Day celebrations. Unfortunately for Connors when he wakes up the following morning he finds he has to live the previous day all over again…and again…and again.

Groundhog Day would mark the last time that Murray and Harold Ramis would collaborate, the pair had previously worked together on Meatballs, Stripes, Caddyshack, and the Ghostbuster movies, but fell out during Groundhog Day. While there were some personal issues involved, there was also a disagreement about the direction of the film. Ramis wanted to make a straight forward comedy whereas Murray wanted to make a more contemplative piece.

Ramis and Murray did how ever manage to put aside their differences, at the behest of Murray’s brother, Brian Doyle Murray before Ramis’ passing in 2014.

1. Ghostbusters (1984)

If you ask anybody what their favourite Murray movie is, chances are they’d say Ghostbusters. Not only is it a perfect fusion of comedy, drama, sci-fi and horror, the adventures of the Ghostbusters became the staple of many a childhood during the 1980’s, and rival in affection to the likes of Transformers, Thundercats, and He-Man.

Ghostbusters, like you don’t already know, follows three recently unemployed professors of parapsychology, played by Murray, Ramis, and Aykroyd. After the trio investigate a ghostly manifestation at the city library they decide to start up their own spectral extermination company, and eventually are required to save New York from certain destruction, and a Godzilla sized sailor made of marshmallow.

Following the success of the movie, and the animated series, Murray and the other ‘Busters’ returned for a sequel in 1989. A third film had often been talked about, but dismissed as Murray had always refused to return, possibly due to his falling out with Ramis. Although he did return to the franchise to voice Peter Venkman in 2009’s Ghostbusters: The Video Game, as well as make a cameo appearance in the 2016 reboot.

What’s your favourite Bill Murray movie? Let me know in the comments below.