Time Looping Takes a Deep Dive Twist in Palm Springs

If you were able to re-experience the same day on a loop, would you want to?  What would you want to stay exactly the  same.   What would you want to change?  Would you want to experience it  alone or with someone you loved?  Who would that someone be? These are all questions I found myself asking after watching Hulu’s Palm Springs.  Now I know what you are thinking and yes, it does sound very similar to Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Back to The Future with Michael J. Fox because I thought the very same thing…at first. Then, I realized that Palm Springs is more about one’s journey of self-discovery in the same day while repeatedly offering the opportunity to explore and grow beyond your wildest dreams.  It makes you face the question of how far would you go when fearful for your life.

Sara (Cristin Milioti) is always down for a nice glass of wine and enjoys the company of men.  She’s smart, funny, beautiful and not looking forward to celebrating her sister’s nuptials for a variety of reasons.  Niles (Andy Samberg) is lost.  He doesn’t know what he wants, who he wants or how he will navigate through the rest of his life.  When these two connect at the wedding reception, little did they know that neither one of them would ever be the same. Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg are comedy gold with a chemistry that is precious, powerful, playful and palpable.  J.K. Simmons is simply amazing as always in a role that allows him to play yet tap into that dramatic side we have grown to love from him onscreen.

Director Max Barbakow gives me  a rom-com that is completely unexpected, yet left me thinking about my own existence on earth, who I share space with and what I want my life to look like moving forward.  During a pandemic, this gift and curse of  time feels like a never ending loop of life.  I’m reminded time literally stands still for no one.  What will my legacy be?  Will anything I have done with my life matter?  Have I done enough? Who will remember?  Who will care?  Will my actions be respected?  Judge for yourself when Palm Springs streams on Hulu on July 10th.