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6.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Palm Springs remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, it depends on how much you like watching movies that feel like a dusty postcard from 1936. If you’re a fan of old Hollywood tropes and don't mind a story that feels like it’s been told a thousand times before, you might find something to like here. But if you need modern pacing or a script that feels remotely unpredictable, you’re probably going to be bored out of your mind.
The whole thing moves at this weird, polite speed. It’s not slow, exactly, but it never really feels like it’s in a hurry to get to the point either.
The plot is pretty much what you'd expect. A gambler needs cash, a rich guy enters the picture, and the daughter is expected to do the right thing. Spoiler alert: she doesn't. The romance between the girl and the poor American feels kind of tacked on, like they just needed a reason to keep the scenes moving between the big house and the local spots.
There is this one scene where they’re talking in the garden and the background extras are just… standing there. It feels like they were told to look like they were having a conversation, but nobody actually gave them anything to say. It’s super distracting once you notice it.
It’s not as energetic as The Fighting Kentuckians, but it’s got its own little charm. There are moments where the dialogue feels like it’s trying so hard to be clever that it trips over its own shoelaces. Classic.
I found myself zoning out a bit during the middle section. The whole middle chunk just feels like a bridge to get to the ending that everyone knows is coming anyway. Still, it’s not the worst way to spend a rainy afternoon if you just want something playing in the background while you fold laundry.
It’s a bit messy, sure. But at least it doesn't try to be anything deeper than a standard romantic flick. Sometimes, that’s all you need, right? 🍿