The high concept romantic comedy seems to be a thing of the past. Whether it has to do with the cost of producing one, audience tastes, or just the changing of the times, a rom-com that mixes in something else tends to be rare. At least on the independent scene, there are occasional efforts, but few can claim to be as magical as Palm Springs. This indie gem blew away folks at the Sundance Film Festival, and rightly so, as it mixes rom-com elements with science fiction, as well as some heady thoughts about life. Whether you love comedy, romance, or sci-fi, there’s something for you here. Hitting Hulu on Friday, it’s not to be missed. Simply put, it’s easy one of the year’s best titles. This film is, as mentioned, a romantic comedy, though one with a science fiction twist and definite dramatic beats. Set at a wedding in Palm Springs, we first meet Nyles (Andy Samberg), the boyfriend of a bridesmaid. He seems totally disengaged with the proceedings, as if he’s all seen it before. He perks up a bit when he starts hanging out with Sarah (Cristin Milioti), the Maid of Honor and the black sheep of her family. They move away from the party and seem likely to have a tryst, though when that gets interrupted, Sarah finds herself in the same situation as Nyles. To say more would spoil things, but the pair are literally stuck at this wedding, as well as now with each other. The details are best left for you to discover, as well as how Roy (J.K. Simmons) factors into things, but it’s absolutely magnificent. Max Barbakow directs a screenplay by Andy Siara (both have Story By credits), with cinematography by Quyen Tran, as well as a score from Matthew Compton. Supporting players include Dale Dickey, Peter Gallagher, Meredith Hagner, Tyler Hoechlin, Camila Mendes, June Squibb, and more. I absolutely adore this movie. It’s one of the year’s best, from top to bottom. What Max Barbakow and Andy Siara have come up with is nothing short of spectacular. Barbakow’s direction is smooth, the script he wrote with Siara is creative and witty, while the performances he got are outstanding. Andy Samberg is perfectly cast, showcasing comedic and dramatic chops, while J.K. Simmons steals his scenes, especially a moment in the third act that really hits you like a ton of bricks. […]