Palm Springs

I've always had a soft spot for time loop movies since *Groundhog Day* (1993), and I'm happy to say that *Palm Springs* delivers a fresh and funny take on the genre. It's a well-crafted comedy that not only entertains but also leaves you with a few curious questions by the end. The cast does an excellent job of making us care about the characters, which is crucial for a time loop movie. The challenge with this type of plot is keeping the repetition from becoming dull, and *Palm Springs* handles that with excellence. Each loop feels engaging, and I found myself enjoying the ride over and over again. Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded if the movie ran a bit longer—I was that entertained. That said, I could have done with a bit less romance. The shift in tone was a little abrupt at the third arc, but at the same time, it’s hard to complain when the love story plays such a central role in the narrative. After all, love has a way of sneaking into even the most unexpected places. Overall, *Palm Springs* is a standout time loop movie that keeps you hooked until the end. While I think the final act could have used a bit more development, it’s still a solid film that’s definitely worth watching.

Palm Springs puts a new spin on the old time loop story, and I am surprised at how well it works. Andy Samberg is fantastic as ever and shows off a little more acting chops than I give him credit for with the more emotional scenes in the film. The chemistry that he and Christin Milloti share is spectacular and felt so incredibly genuine. I felt so many things during this movie ranging from happiness, sadness, and laughter, it really takes you for a ride and it is such a fantastic one at that. This is such an underrated film and I cannot recommend this enough. **Verdict:** _Excellent_

The multi-genre “Palm Springs” is an oddball, sci-fi rom-com about loneliness and love, a thoughtful story of existential consternation with a sharp-witted joke library. The film, written by Andy Siara and directed by Max Barbakow, is a weird hipster version of “Groundhog Day,” with a story about two semi-dorks stuck in an infinite loop where they must relive the same sunrise to sunset over and over again. November 9th is the perfect date for a Palm Springs destination wedding, and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) is there for her younger sister’s big day. The elder sibling has a real chip on her shoulder, reluctant to serve as the maid of honor and not a big fan of formal events. At the reception, she meets Nyles (Andy Samberg), a carefree dude who is trapped with his shallow, cheating, bridesmaid girlfriend Misty (Meredith Hagner). Sarah and Nyles hit it off with their shared offbeat sense of humor, and the duo sneak off into the desert for a late-night rendezvous. Something really, really weird interrupts their plans, turning the two into a powerhouse of cynical anarchy when they discover they’re able to endlessly reprise that day. It’s a fun idea that’s given a refresh with smart-aleck humor from Milioti and Samberg. They’re a charismatic pair, even if they’re not the easiest couple to root for. The film has a jaded, “too cool for school” angle that may turn off some viewers, but it tries to remain lighthearted. An all-too-brief supporting turn from J.K. Simmons adds a bizarre but unexpectedly touching side plot, lending a lot of heart to the story. As is the case with many films that premiere at Sundance, “Palm Springs” doesn’t come close to living up to the initial film festival audience reaction. The dark comedy is entertaining, but it’s not as funny as it could be, and it’s not as clever as it wishes it was.