In what’s hopefully a sign of things to come,Palm Springs– one of thebest films of 2020– is getting a full audio commentary from its cast and filmmakers despite the fact that it only exists on a streaming service. Indeed, when Hulu and Neon boughtPalm Springsfor a record $17.5 million at Sundance, they intended to give it a full theatrical release in 2020 before it landed on Hulu. And then the pandemic happened.
As a result,Palm Springsdebuted on Hulu last summer and while it was watched and loved by a lot of people, proponents of the theatrical experience and physical media like myself were still a little bummed. So it’s great to hear viaVarietythat Hulu has now released a “Commentary Version” ofPalm Springs, which features starsAndy SambergandCristin Milioti, directorMax Barbakow, and screenwriterAndy Siaraproviding commentary throughout the film. You know, like an audio commentary you’d find on a Blu-ray.
This “Commentary Version” was actually the idea of the stars and filmmakers, as Samberg told Variety that they asked Hulu to make this unique move:
“As far as I know we’re the first,” Samberg toldVarietyof the new version. “We realized that ‘Palm Springs’ will always be on Hulu, which is great, but there are elements of the DVD experience that just don’t exist anymore. They were very amenable in talking about ways to get some fun stuff in there.”
Indeed,those who collect physical mediadon’t do so only to control their library (relying on streaming for the availability of your favorite films is folly), they also collect because some of the best Blu-rays and DVDs feature a wealth of bonus features that allow you to dig deeper into the making of your favorite films.
Netflix has previously released podcast commentaries for a couple of films as well as some roundtable discussions and short making-of documentaries for films likeThe IrishmanandRoma, and I do hope Hulu’s move withPalm Springshere starts a trend. This wasmy favorite film of last year, and I can’t wait to hear what the folks responsible for making it have to say about putting the whole thing together.
you may watch a trailer for the commentary version ofPalm Springsbelow, which is already streaming on Hulu – just go toPalm Springsand look under the “Extras” tab.
For more on the film, check outmy extended interviewwith Samberg and hisLonely IslandcompanionsAkiva SchafferandJorma Taccone, all of whom producedPalm Springs.
And if any Academy voters are reading, consider the abject brilliance of this wonderful, unique film.
