October 11, 1975. The start of something new – something big, was imminent. NBC debuted the now long-running sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. Many have wondered, “What happened leading up to that first taping?” Director Jason Reitman and his co-writer Gil Kenan have answered this question with their latest collaboration Saturday Night.
Some filmmakers would have approached this story in the most formulaic of ways, yet Reitman and Kenan chose a different approach–Instead of following the lengthy period leading to the first taping, Saturday Night goes against the grain and presents itself as a real-time build-up to Chevy Chase belting out the infamous “Live from New York! It’s Saturday Night” and the crew has 90 minutes to prepare themselves for what is shaping up to be a massive gamble. Money, reputations, and exciting, but questionable, futures are riding on the show. Yet, there’s one person putting every ounce of confidence into this– creator-producer Lorne Michaels.
Saturday Night is a Sorkin-esque wickedly frenetic capsule of a crucial staple to the landscape of entertainment, mainly due to its star-studded ensemble led wonderfully by The Fabelmans (2022) breakout Gabriel LaBelle as Michaels. From the high-brow NBC executives to the talent in front and behind the camera, Reitman gives every cast member their moment to shine. Their screen times vary from two minutes to 15 minutes, outside of LaBelle, which may leave some audiences wanting more for the actors to chew on. Thankfully, the transitions from character to character felt welcoming, as we follow the camera from top to bottom of the NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center.
When one tackles a biopic, casting real-life figures may be the biggest challenge. The idea of having actors jump into the mindsets of Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Glida Radner, John Belushi, and the whole original entourage is overwhelming. Everyone brought their A-game to their roles, particularly Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase; he’s brilliant and blathering, yet also signals signs of insecurity.
Some actors bring their own fresh spin to portraying these figures, instead of coming off as cosplay imitations of them and vice versa. Matt Wood, who perfectly resembles Belushi, had his performance feel akin to something one would see in an amateur production. The performances will be an acquired taste to some watching this film, especially those who grew up with this first generation of Saturday Night Live.
While the performances and screenplay are the talk of the town with Saturday Night, flowers must be given to the technical elements of the film. Reitman chose to shoot this on 16mm film added to the ‘70s time capsule on display. Had the film been filmed digitally, it would’ve taken the audience out and felt like a film set in 2024, not 1975. Jon Batiste, who portrays Billy Preston, composes Saturday Night with a hyperactive energy and strategically incorporates quieter pieces for the moments away from the chaos.
The costumes, the production design, and hair and makeup all feel reminiscent of the ‘70s time frame. When watching any period piece, a goal is to immerse the audience with its technical elements and Saturday Night succeeds across the board.
There is a lot to celebrate about Saturday Night. Is it going to appease everyone? Just like audience reactions to the original, ongoing show, their film reception may vary. If Saturday Night Live has taught us anything, it is that humor is subjective. Yet, the amount of love that Reitman and his team pour into this comedic rollercoaster makes it a watch that knocks your socks off. In the same breath, one cannot help but appreciate the more intimate moments of artists trying to bring something magical to life. That’s the joy of creating art – while hitting bumps are unavoidable, you’re very proud of what you create.
Review Courtesy of Bryan Sudfield
Feature Image Credit to Universal Pictures via IMDb