Cold Fever

Ashley Frost

Cold Fever

In both movies, the ritual that the main character's wen through changed their previous understanding of the meaning of life.  In Groundhog Day Phil's experiences changed him from an egotistical, selfish man into a caring, considerate, and helpful man.  He realized that he needed to focus on others in order to escape the sacred time that he was stuck in, even though he was doing profane actions.  In Cold Fever, the main character Hirata also went through a major transformation.  Similarly, he changed from a selfish, success-driven young business man into a compassionate man.  At the beginning of the film it is revealed that Hirata does not believe in superstitions or rituals, but as the film continues, more and more strange and chaotic events begin to occur.  It is because of all of this chaos that Hirata feels a stronger sense of urgency to perform the ritual because it will bring back order. 

I think that comedy plays a large role in both films.  I think that there can tend to be a negative stigma when a person thinks of rituals because of the serious and religious aspects.  But I think in both films that humor was important and necessary to get a larger point across; that ritual is not just a boring, serious task that a person must complete.  It is a part of life, and life is not always serious! There is joy, laughter, pain, confusion, etc. and that was illustrated in both films. 

The movie Cold Fever even further confirmed my belief in ritual, especially when it comes to funeral and death rituals.  I think that these rituals are important in life, and that was expressed by the end of this film.