Palm Springs is a Hulu original that took this year’s Sundance Film Festival by storm, garnering positive reviews from both audiences and critics alike. In a Groundhog Day-esque story, one man is forced to relive the same day over and over until a few unsuspecting bystanders join him along the way. Let’s consider the pros and cons…
Pros: The acting in this contained little story cannot be overstated enough. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti have an effortless chemistry that will effectively pull you into their world and situation. J.K. Simmons also turns in a great performance and manages to steal the few scenes he appears in. Finally, although we’ve seen many interpretations of time loops in movies, I think Palm Springs uses the format brilliantly to advance the story.
Cons: It’s not easy to find flaws in such a carefree film, but there are some things worth mentioning. Firstly, while I do think Palm Springs uses its time loop premise to its advantage, I completely understand that some will find this to be too gimmicky. Secondly, the sections where this movie struggles the most is when the characters try to explain/understand the mechanics of the time loop they are trapped inside. Of course any clarification is appreciated and necessary for the resolution, however the time loop and escape are ultimately yada yada-ed. This ending could spoil the entire movie for you if your expectations are too high, however I would contest that the movie is less about escaping the time loop than it is about the relationships formed inside.
I give Palm Springs an A-. It’s a unique rom-com with an absolutely bonkers premise and solid performances all around! I highly recommend this to everyone with a Hulu subscription. Happy Watching!
“I felt everything I’ll ever feel. So I’ll never feel ever again.”