'Palm Springs' A Review

Palm Springs is a time-loop romantic comedy about Nyles(Andy Samberg) and Sarah(Cristin Milioti) who are caught in a Groundhog's Day style time-loop reliving Sararh's sister's wedding day over and over again. The two grapple with both existential and interpersonal crisis as well as boredom as the begin to form a bond.

Samberg is as understated as we've ever seen him but still with his innate charm and ease with no real sacrifice of humor. He has moments of gonzo comedy but it's encased within a deeply empathetic performance. Milioti is also excellent and has more emotional dimension in which to play, she's able to balance surprising pathos with crescendos of comedic emotion. The two have wonderful chemistry and the film provides a lovely framework within which the two are, basically alone in a limited location, and allowed to have fun and get to know each other and given they are two complicated, prickly, strong characters that journey is incredibly fulfilling. The supporting cast are all great(particularly Conner O'Malley's unhinged groomsmen) but because they all reset each day they are rendered mostly immaterial to the narrative and the sole focus is on Nyles and Sarah making it a surprisingly intimate story.

Made on a limited budget the strength of the script and of the conceit of the time-loop(a mostly sure fire plot device for character development, see Edge Of Tomorrow and Happy Death Day) propel this relatively small film into one of the best of the year. It's quiet, thoughtful, romantic, funny and just plain fun. The production elements are competent and effective(if not particularly dramatic) and allow Samberg and Milioti the freedom to really play and create full dynamic characters.

A charming, thought-provoking, but never ostentatious romcom that doesn't reinvent the genre but is clearly operating on a different plane.

Currently streaming on Hulu.

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