Movies
Humor, Physics, and Love in ‘Palm Springs’
The 2020 romantic-comedy film ‘Palm Springs’ is about a time loop and two chaotic individuals
You know those movies where a single day repeats itself over and over, and the protagonist lives through it in despair? Well, you could also call that just a regular day in a mundane life, but in this movie, we’re only using the time loop and cutting out the hopelessness. Oh yeah, and adding in some humor and romance.
And voilà, we have the perfect lighthearted rom-com.
I don’t particularly enjoy romance movies, but since I stumbled across this, hoping to watch something goofy — here we are. Where exactly? Well, Palm Springs, of course.
Weddings are Romantic, Right?
Isn’t it ironic that the film starts with preparations for a wedding, which feels the least like a time loop? Because, believe it or not, marriage is a time loop.
We meet Nyles, our protagonist, at the very beginning of the film. Nyles seems to be an enlightened man when he gives a speech for the ages at the reception. He’s the boyfriend of the bride’s other maid of honor. He also doesn’t wear a suit at the wedding or the reception which tells us enough about him.
From the get go, he doesn’t seem like a complicated person and this film doesn’t look like it could get any more bland. But wait!
Nyles meets Sarah, who is the equally odd older sister of the bride, and they somehow find themselves out in the desert. Stay with me now. In the desert, Nyles gets attacked by a rogue man, Roy, who shoots him with arrows and they all go inside of a glowing red cave.
Alright, that’s the best way I could define the entire scenario while raising your curiosity.
Reinventing Time Loops
Nyles and Roy repeat the same day, but after walking into the previously mentioned cave, Sarah also repeats the exact same day.
But while we see how unhinged Sarah gets after she repeats the same day of her sister’s wedding — she drives all the way from Palm Springs to Texas in hopes that she stays awake and the day doesn’t restart again — we are now aware of the fact that Nyles is not new to this rodeo.
But instead of being in utter despair, he’s accepted his fate and finds new ways to just waste time. Yes, he wastes his time and then starts all over again.
I’ve seen many films with the time loop concept. Some science fiction, some just downright crazy, and others with little new to offer. But I have yet to come across a movie which plays time loops with such a clever comedic take.
Who doesn’t want to just waste time or be able to try everything they haven’t for the entire day? There are no consequences and there are no bad endings. It’s just a fun time to be alive and stuck in an endless cycle.
Love, Being Lost, and Life
Let’s get down to being philosophical because that’s the feeling this film invoked in me; what it’s like to be in love, or to be lost, or to live life. We’re all constantly suffering through all three of these. Sometimes everything is fleeting, and sometimes it stays for a little too long.
Nyles’ speech at the reception is about how we’re all lost and then we’re found. It’s a good speech, and it strikes a chord that makes the film more enjoyable.
We have this protagonist who’s been going through the same day all on his own. He hides this fact behind jokes and comical antics, but he is alone in his struggle. That is until Sarah also finds herself in the same predicament.
This is where love comes into play. Not only romantic love.
Before the time loop had affected Sarah, she made many mistakes. The one that followed her into the loop, however, was how she betrays her sister by sleeping with her soon-to-be-husband.
Nyles has a chill attitude towards his situation, but Sarah has to face her mistake repeatedly which, understandably, drives her into trying to find a way out of the cycle. And that’s life. It’s unexpected and odd.
While Sarah and Nyles develop a relationship, with an entire montage of them having fun and trying out new ways to waste their time together, life still creeps up on them.
Repetition and Commitment
Isn’t it ironic that the film starts with preparations for a wedding, which feels the least like a time loop?
Wait a minute. I’ve made that joke before. Oh no, is this review stuck in a time loop too?!
Of course not. That would actually be terrifying. No, time is going just as it’s supposed to, but repetition teaches us something that this film also highlights cleverly.
The way Nyles and Sarah repeat the same day in new ways, all while having the time of their lives, is what commitment is like if done right. When you’re married or in a committed relationship, everyday is the same, one way or another. You’re with the same person, going through the same routine, and yet good relationships find a way to make everything feel new.
The time loop in this film is romantic and yet so fun to watch. I mean, when Sarah and Nyles did that musical number, they burned every other couple in existence.
Physics. Yes, Real Physics.
Okay, so I barely passed my physics classes and exams. I’m putting this out there so you all don’t mistake me for a nerd. Well, I am a nerd. Just not a smart one.
Anyway, this film finds more ways to surprise its audience when it suddenly incorporates real quantum physics and how to get out of the loop that Nyles and Sarah are stuck in.
It’s Sarah who does all the reading, and studying, and taking online classes. Everyday, this woman goes to study physics at a diner, and create theories and conduct experiments. Its awful, and awfully brilliant to watch.
We have humor, romance, science and now we’re adding studying physics to the list. This is just beginning to look like my bingo card. But while I was trying to play bingo, Sarah discovers the logic behind the cave and how they both can get out of their situation.
I won’t explain that because of how horrible I am at physics which means you’ll have to watch the film. See, I didn’t spoil everything.
Finding Meaning
If there’s one thing that trumps anything, it’s a grammatical mess of a confession. Ooh, Bingo! I got Bingo! Yes, that was on my bingo card, and no I’m not making this up.
Nyles and Sarah do end up together, because this is an optimistic romantic comedy which doesn’t make things right only for our protagonists. Sarah also gives a heartfelt speech at her sister’s wedding, professing her love for her. Sarah even leaves behind the theory of escaping the time loop for Roy, and the film has an incredibly happy ending.
And we got this ending because life is not meaningless and love is not overrated, despite what everyone says.
Throughout the entire film, Nyles is adamant on wasting time since he has aggressively accepted his situation. He truly believes that nothing matters as he repeats the same day, but Sarah questions this. Is there a point to living if nothing matters?
But things do matter.
Not only does this film draw a great picture of how relationships should be, but it also inspires change in how we treat love.
Yes, time loops are a rare experience, especially with another person, but we can always spend time with our loved ones. We can always discover new ways to enjoy our lives together.
And if you’re with someone you truly love, life is always meaningful and fulfilling. It’s also fun and enjoyable, especially if you choose to do a choreographed dance number at a random location.
Here’s a totally unrelated but nuanced ending quote from our main man, Nyles: “I’ve felt everything I’ll ever feel so I never feel ever again.”
I hope you enjoyed reading this piece on the romantic-comedy Palm Springs. You can find more of my work here on Medium. Thank you for reading!
