PALM SPRINGS: I’m Having Fun Because I’m Only Human

Fading away, falling into oblivion, the dust that remains after our (short-lived) existence. No matter how you look at it, this idea seems to have always been with us. It eats away at us from within because time relentlessly speeds on, days turn into seconds, weeks into minutes, and months into hours. Death seems terrifying to us, but we usually view it in a rather limited (perhaps even ignorant?) way, as it seems so distant, so different from our physical reality. Not for the characters of “Palm Springs”—they know all too well what “daily dying” means; an endless dose of encounters with the grim reaper.

It’s a different story with the passage of time—we feel it with every breath, whether it’s slow and steady or heavy and anxious. We watch films that portray our dreams with a fiery sense of envy. But is it really a dream? It could very well be a desire, a desperate escape from time. “Brooklyn 9-9” star Andy Samberg plays Nyles, a confident free spirit—just the kind of image the actor loves—who’s forced to fight for his mental survival. A time loop catches him at a hot wedding. Soon, like Bill Murray‘s Phil in “Groundhog Day”, he’ll learn a thing or two about himself and others, uncover some secrets of the wedding guests, or simply enjoy the opportunity to relive the same day over and over again. Along the way, he’ll realize that humanity’s pursuit of immortality isn’t as appealing as it initially seemed. It’s a dreamlike illusion that sooner or later drives its participants to frustration.

“Palm Springs” might seem like a genre cliché, navigating between a well-worn formula (being stuck in a time loop) and the actors’ extraordinary performances. But that’s far from the truth. It’s a rom-com through and through, with a few wild sci-fi elements and its own unique narrative. The creators don’t aim to craft a grand moral tale (though there are some inner character transformations), but instead play with the form, adding flexibility. It’s an agile film about finding oneself in extraordinary situations, where the same 24 hours repeat endlessly. Nyles and Sarah (played by the fierce, brilliant Cristin Milioti alongside Samberg) face the monotony that at first seems like bliss but gradually reveals itself as a hellish existence in 95-degree heat.

The story being told here is interesting, as the loop itself can be (un)safe. On the one hand, every death resets our duo to the morning when they wake up and once again hear the memorized dialogues (it sounds like a nightmare to hear the same complaints from a family member). And even if this flirtation with infinity doesn’t get too complex, it definitely amuses with its playful nature. The characters revel in this illusory paradise in every possible way, which brings a lot of joy both to them and to us, the envious viewers who wish we could be in the same situation. On the other hand, not everyone in “Palm Springs” will be thrilled with the idea of repeating the same day endlessly. When Nyles pulls the vengeful Roy (a satisfying J.K. Simmons in a supporting role) into the loop, the nightmare becomes real—believe it or not, this older gentleman isn’t happy in this place at all. Nyles’ death (in various ways!) becomes Roy’s escape from the overwhelming boredom. The guy doesn’t hide his anger; he’s bitter and shows no mercy. Thus, a slow domino effect heralds a looming disaster…

It’s no secret that the idea for this feel-good movie is already somewhat archaic, especially using it in a comedic formula. Yet there’s still a fresh breeze about “Palm Springs”, a hidden magnetism. It’s directed with ease, skillfully edited, and even though it occasionally doesn’t hide its desire to be “music video-esque” and use original songs, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying this festival of smiles.

“Palm Springs” is a bit like a chilled Sommersby. It’s for the masses, but it still tastes good—that’s why people keep buying it. And that’s also why this latest comedy starring Samberg is breaking popularity records on Hulu.