To many fans, Groundhog Day is the original time loop movie. The title has become synonymous with the drudgery of repetition, and several filmmakers have taken note. The concept of a time loop narrative has been around long before Groundhog Day, but the film made the idea widespread to many filmgoers.
one of the cooler time loop movies. Upon a closer look, fans might notice some fascinating similarities between Palm Springs and Groundhog Day beyond the plotline of a seemingly inescapable repeating day.
Bad Day To Repeat
In both films, the protagonist is forced to repeat a 24-hour period on an apparently endless loop. However, audiences aren't presented with any old days for the main characters. They are showcased waking up on dreaded mornings. In Groundhog Day, Phil Connors is a disgruntled weatherman who hates being forced to cover Groundhog Day in the bitter cold Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It is on this day he is forced to continually wake up.
In Palm Springs, Sarah Wilder is forced to attend her sister's wedding. She seems unenthused by her family who thinks she "f*cks around and drinks too much." However, her day is revealed as particularly unbearable when audiences learn she sleeps with her sister's fiancé the night before and is racked with guilt each morning. Some fans say this tidbit gives one of its most heart-breaking details.
Destination Time Loop
In Groundhog Day, Phil lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has to travel to Punxsutawney to cover the special weather event of Groundhog Day. This is another factor that makes his repeating day unique. He isn't able to have the resources of his familiar area, and learns everything there is to know about the people of Punxsutawney while repeating his day.
Similarly, in Palm Springs, Sarah lives in Austin, Texas. She is stuck in a time loop in the unfamiliar area of Palm Springs for her sister's destination wedding. Unlike Phil, Sarah drives home in an attempt to break the time loop, which fails. In both films, characters face the uncertain phenomena of a time loop without the familiarity of home.
Growing Romance
Perhaps the starkest difference between the Groundhog Day and Palm Springs stories is that the former features one character in the loop, while the latter features three. However, both films showcase romance which grows within the loop. In Groundhog Day, Phil learns everything he can about his coworker Rita Hanson. At first, he tells her everything he thinks she wants to hear. By the end of the film, he wins her heart by growing into a better person.
In Palm Springs, Nyles and Sarah fall for each other after sharing time enjoying consequence-free behavior during the time loop. Their situations are different, but both Sarah and Phil use their time in the loop to grow feelings for another person. In both situations, they know they won't grow old together, but take solace in waking up to see each other each day.
Responsibilities
In Groundhog Day, Phil is forced to decide the best ways to spend his days in the time loop. He rips through several different activities. He goes on a self-serving tear stealing money and swindling women. Phil learns new skills in Groundhog Day like ice-carving and piano. He tries to save the life of an elderly homeless man. However, he is responsible for reporting the weather for Groundhog Day. On his final day, he fulfills this responsibility.
In Palm Springs, Sarah also has a job to do. She is her sister Tala's maid of honor at her wedding. Like Phil, she goes through what seems like hundreds of days ignoring her responsibilities as maid of honor, and most of the time doesn't even attend the wedding. However, like Phil, on her final day, she owns up to her responsibilities and gives a speech as Tala ties the knot.
"The Wretch"
Phil is a funny character, and some fans might say his funniest antics come when he enjoys the lack of consequences in the Groundhog Day time loop. He deceives others like Nancy Taylor and even Rita. He indulges when he realizes he won't have to pay for his actions. Perhaps the best sequence showcasing his gluttony is when he is eating cake, smoking cigarettes, and drinking coffee by the pot in the local diner. Rita scolds him and quotes a Sir Walter Scott piece to underscore his voracious behavior.
In Palm Springs, Niles performs the same kind of nihilistic behavior. Some viewers say he is less likable than others in Palm Springs. He is rarely shown without a beer in hand, and he continues to throw caution to the wind in every behavior he takes part in. He steals drugs from the wedding officiator. Sarah s in with reckless behavior at first. However, she leaves Niles to come up with an escape from the time loop by the end of the film. In both movies, the characters are unable to both indulge and escape on the same day.
Philosophies & Exits
Groundhog Day and Palm Springs both present philosophies in their plot. However, they are very different. Groundhog Day presents an arc showcasing Phil's growth. At first he is a selfish, uncaring man. Through a lesson some would call punishment, he is able to see the error of his ways. He performs penance for his ill behavior and is released from the time loop only after he spends the day helping others. Some would call the philosophy Christian, as Phil is forgiven after attoning for his sins.
Palm Springs presents a different kind of philosophy. The movie nods to Groundhog Day when Sarah thinks she will be released from the loop after showing true selflessness, telling her sister about sleeping with her fiancé during their wedding. However, it doesn't work. Sarah can only leave after spending the time to learn about quantum physics. It is more of a scientific look at the time loop. However, others might argue there is a similarity in that Sarah tells Tala's fiancé what they did was wrong, and fulfills her responsibilities as bridesmaid on her final loop before escaping.
