Palm Springs (Max Barbakow, 2020)

Cute Groundhog Day xerox (talk about eternal returns!). The one-day-forever gimmick is introduced more subtly here. You wonder why Andy Samberg is the only character wearing beach attire at the opening wedding reception. And the new twist on the concept involves moving back in time to discover how the principals arrived in their respective situations. But eventually, the narrative explains the concept in far greater detail than in Groundhog Day, positing an origin in a psychedelic desert cave that could beckon anyone. It results in a more conventional film and replicates the shortcomings of its predecessor. Samberg and Cristin Milioti are as unripened as Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell last time. And here we have two (2) characters who must learn to become Good People before the requisite formation of the heterosexual couple can happen. Still, I'm always down for some light-Resnais narrative play. And I appreciate the blitheness with which Samberg discusses being anally penetrated. Added bonus: a long shot of Samberg's butt.
Grade: B+