Andy Samberg and his pals from the Lonely Island aren’t for everyone.

If you haven’t liked the movies they’ve worked on in the past (or don’t find their Saturday Night Live sketches funny), then this probably isn’t your jam.

Palm Springs was a massive hit at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, though, with director Max Barbakow’s time loop comedy selling to Hulu for $17,5 million, although some say the deal was closer to $22 million.

Even if you take that first figure, that makes the movie the most expensive festival deal in history, reports IndieWire:

The official “Palms Springs” synopsis from Hulu reads: “When carefree Nyles (Andy Samberg) and reluctant maid of honor Sarah (Cristin Milioti) have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding, things get complicated when they find themselves unable to escape the venue, themselves, or each other.”

“Palm Springs” pulls from time loop comedy classics like “Groundhog’s Day” and adds the kind of R-rated comedic edge the Lonely Island is well known for in cult classic films like “Hot Rod” and “Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping.” Starring opposite Samberg and Milioti is a cast that includes J.K. Simmons, Meredith Hagner, Camila Mendes, Tyler Hoechlin, and Peter Gallagher.

The same site’s senior film critic, David Ehrlich, gave it a B+, calling it a “brilliant reinvention” of the Groundhog Day formula.

Well, given that lockdown has felt like Groundhog Day at times, that’s good enough for me:

The movie will be available to stream on Hulu from July 10.

[source:indiewire]