So I’ll just cut to the chase and start off by saying that Palm Springs made assembling my Top 10 list for 2020 a little easier. I wasn’t prepared for how thoroughly enjoyable this tale would be. Romantic comedies are often given short shrift when it comes to discussing great cinema but when they are done well the genre can hit emotional highs in a way that few stories can.
The amorous entanglement concerns two strangers who are both guests at a wedding in Palm Springs. They meet and then promptly get stuck repeating the same span of time over and over. It’s obviously similar to Groundhog Day. I cherish that classic and I dare say Palm Springs is a close 2nd in all films featuring a time loop. That may seem like a narrow bar but there’s a surprising number of choices that qualify: Source Code, About Time, Edge of Tomorrow, Naked and Happy Death Day are but only a few. This is a story about how Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) become an unlikely couple in the midst of bizarre circumstances.
Palm Springs has a breezy screenplay that doesn’t take itself very seriously. Yet it’s smart and coherent when it needs to be. Nyles and Sarah aren’t about love at first sight. He’s actually there with his girlfriend Misty (Meredith Hagner) who one of the bridesmaids. Oh, it’s OK he flirts with Sarah. Misty has been cheating on Nyles and he knows it. Sarah isn’t some demure heroine. In fact, she’s kind of edgy and bitter. Meanwhile, Nyles isn’t a suave leading man. He can be a goofball but he’s still charming nonetheless. Neither Sarah nor Nyles wants to be a guest at this wedding. So they have that in common and are united by this feeling. That’s enough. Then the temporal loop shenanigans begin.
None of this preposterous — albeit inspired — nonsense would work if the two stars weren’t so charismatic. The saga stars Andy Samberg who got his start on the long-running late-night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live in 2005. He’s part of a contingent with a persona like Adam Sandler and Jimmy Fallon in the ensemble. Pete Davidson currently holds that casting slot. This may sound like I’m negating actor Samberg’s individuality. I’m not. In fact, he is probably the most appealing member that has ever held that niche.
Nyles has met the woman who will change his life in Sarah. Cristin Milioti is probably best known for her role in the final season of the TV sitcom How I Met Your Mother. She’s featured in one of my favorite scenes in this production. Sarah is hardcore studying quantum physics to figure out how to end this infinite time loop in which she’s stuck. The inspired montage is set to “The Brazilian” by Genesis. Another endearing musical vignette involves the couple’s impromptu dance in a bar while “Megatron Man” by Patrick Cowley blasts in the background. These displays aren’t rare occurrences but representative of the many delightful moments contained within. It’s been a while since a romantic comedy captivated me this much. It’s funny, sweet, and a little acerbic. I loved it.
07-11-20
8 Responses
Wasn’t expecting such a positive endorsement. Very cool, I’ll definitely be seeing this soon. Meant to already, but I keep forgetting about it
It’s surprisingly good. This (along with a few others) renewed my faith in 2020 films.
Just caught up with it, finally. Best. Post-credits scene. Ever!
The final scene (or a good post-credits sequence) is so important because it’s the last thing you remember as you’re leaving the theaters (or turning off the TV these days). Palm Springs left me with happiness.
I would also like to note how it has introduced me to that wonderful song by Hall and Oates. What a find that was. Sends you off on such a high.
Ah yes, “When the Morning Comes.” The whole soundtrack is great. I quite liked Megatron Man by Patrick Crowley.
I really enjoyed this film. Usually hit or miss with Adam, but here, he was great. The chemistry was very good between the two. I could watch this again and again. Lol. 4 stars.
It’s hard to find good romantic comedies. This was one of 2020’s best.