The three endings in the Groundhog Day themed movie Palm Springs have a little unpacking to do. Plus, dinosaurs. Let’s get to it.
SPOILERS LIE AHEAD.
Why does Nyles mention his dog?
In the first end scene, Nyles and Sarah are lounging in the pool at his ‘safe house’ on November 10th, the real next day. They’re quiet and content. Then Nyles takes the time to tell Sarah he has a dog.
The World’s Most Indispensable Movie App
The RunPee app tells you the best times to
run & pee during a movie
so you don't miss the best scenes.
Download the RunPee app.
100% free (donation supported)
Why does the character use the final moments telling the audience this? It’s a little joke, both in-universe and out. “One of them Shaggy Dogs,” he says, when she asks she kind of pooch it is…implying their entire experience is a “Shaggy Dog Story,” and so is the movie.
To drive home how cool this line is, here’s the definition from the Oxford Dictionary of a Shaggy Dog Story:
A long, rambling story or joke, typically one that is amusing only because it is absurdly inconsequential or pointless.
So what’s with the Dinosaurs in Palm Springs?
In the second ending, the camera slowly pans away from the pool and into the distance, past the pegmatite rock heaps of Joshua Tree National Park. Three graceful Diplodocus dinosaurs stroll by. I’m including these fancy words because dinosaurs and geology are fun. You should note the dinos in question are not Brachiosaurs. And now I’ll take off my teacher’s cap.
Dinosaurs are a big thing in the Southern California desert. There are famous dinosaurs in both the town of Anza Borrego, and along the exit off I-10 at Cabazon.
If you’ve ever seen PeeWee Herman, or The Wizard, or drove on Route 66 to Los Angeles, you’ve seen the concrete Cabazon T-Rex and Brontosaur sculptures, large as life. One is an actual gift shop! Dinny and Mr. Rex are a bit faded and crumbling now, but remain a beloved, iconic roadside attraction. The fact that they promote Creationism in the museum is just a cherry on the geological layer cake.
Likewise, in the resort town of Anza Borrego there’s a lot of huge metal sculptury, and dinosaurs aren’t forgotten. You can see a group of Velociraptors, a T-Rex, a few carnosaurs, and a Loch Ness Monster that goes under the road and loops off into the distance.
What people are saying
about the RunPee app.
Best app ever!
RunPee is the only app we use before movies and afterward. not only does RunPee tell you when it’s a good time to leave the theater, kids these days ask if there’s anything during/after the credits, and RunPee lets parents know when there might be some thing that a kid might miss!
RunPee has tidbits, ratings, leave the theater times, and lengths. This is THE VITAL APP for watching any movie!
We used it when my wife was pregnant, and we have recommended it to every pregnant gal we know! How else can you enjoy a movie when you have to go out so often?!
View all reviews
Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Download RunPee app
Dinosaurs have been associated with the desert for a long time now, since a lot of fossilized bones and track prints are well-preserved in that environment.
In-universe, the first time we see the dinosaurs (it happens twice), Nyles and Sarah are sharing a mushroom trip. Since they both see the creatures, it’s possible the dinos are actually there. Nyles and Sarah are literally tripping through time.
But the second time the Diplodoci appear, only the audience sees them.
Dinosaurs last walked the Earth 65 million years ago. We don’t know how long the three film characters repeated November 9th, but they are clearly outside the normal timeline. Why can’t dinosaurs have fallen through the loop too, like the goat? Why does time have to be linear in a repeating loop anyway? Am I overthinking this?
I think not. Anyone cool enough to put freaking dinosaurs in this movie is a geek too.
And that extra scene with JK Simmons?
After the credits roll for a few minutes into Palm Springs, an extra scene begins. Back at the November 9th wedding, Roy crosses to a tux-suited Nyles. Roy grabs Nyles’ shoulder, saying, “Hey, Shitbird. I got the message from your girlfriend last night. That’s a pretty crazy theory. Do you really think it could work?”
Watch Simmons’ eyes. He acts entire scene with them, and a whole gamut of emotions runs by: irritation, confusion, hope, disbelief, pain, excitement, and the start of joy. It’s a lovely coda: Roy is not forgotten or left behind. The idea is that Sarah left instructions, telling him she probably got out, and how to escape too. Roy realizes this must have happened — Nyles doesn’t know him at all. In this timeline, Nyles never got stuck.
Roy celebrates by ordering a “lot” of alcohol. We assume he gets out of the time loop whenever he wants to after that. Maybe he stays longer in the “prison” he’s grown to accept, appreciate, and finally cherish. Maybe he’ll stay a lot longer. What would you do?
The ending is worth thinking about, either way.
https://runpee.com/new-movie-review-palm-springs/
https://runpee.com/10-groundhog-day-type-movies-the-ultimate-list/
Is there anything extra during the end credits of Palm Springs?
Don’t miss your favorite movie moments because you have to pee or need a snack. Use the RunPee app (Androidor iPhone) when you go to the movies. We have Peetimes for all wide release films every week, including Wicked, Gladiator II, Red One, The Wild Robot and coming soon Moana 2, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, Kraven the Hunter, Mufasa: The Lion King and many others. We have literally thousands of Peetimes—from classic movies through today’s blockbusters. You can also keep up with movie news and reviews on our blog, or by following us on Twitter @RunPee. If there’s a new film out there, we’ve got your bladder covered.
Leave a Reply