Saturday Night (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – At 11:30pm on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live.

My Take – Known popularly as the stomping ground of many comedy titans, Saturday Night Live, which is now currently in its 50th season, is without a doubt of one of American television’s most important, culture-changing shows of all time.

Though most people see the comedy program as a lighthearted, easy watch, a way to get a few laughs late at night, but what many don’t realize is how chaotic and stressful it was to actually get the episodes on air, especially in the early days.

Something which longtime friends and collaborators, writer-director Jason Reitman (Juno, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and co-writer Gil Kenan (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire), aim to explore in this new biopic, which charts the explosive birth of the iconic Saturday Night (as it was previously called) comedy program on the US TV network NBC.

Diving into the behind-the-scenes madness, the film counts down the last 90 minutes before the first episode went live on air and invites us to witness how the set was still unfinished, people were being fired, and mistakes were being made left and right. A complete whirlwind of confusion and stress.

Bolstered by Jason Reitman‘s direction, the film maintains a certain kinetic, almost frantic energy that oscillates between side-splitting comedy and moments of profound emotional resonance, working effectively on both aspects.

Sure, the plot is a bit of a jumble, with so many characters, so much going on, and so much chaos. Even some humorous sketches feel slightly disconnected from the film’s overarching narrative, momentarily disrupting the immersive experience. However, these minor hiccups don’t overshadow the overall triumphant journey through modern comedy.

Simply told, this one is an essential viewing for anyone who is a fan, particularly those who lived through the show in their prime. With its excellent ensemble cast, perfect set design, and deep respect for the original material, despite turning into a box office bomb, the 109 minute long feature deserves all the love it has received.

Opening on October 11, 1975, the story mainly follows Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle), who is visibly stressed. With just one hour and thirty minutes left before his production goes live on the air, outside the NBC page (Finn Wolfhard) is having very little luck with getting any audience members interested in attending, while inside, the set is in chaos and Michaels is still trying to get his show and comedians in order.

He sold the NBC network on the idea of a late-night variety show that would replace the reruns of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson that they’ve been airing, though he himself admits he can’t put his concept for the show into words, he believes in it.

He’s even gotten the enthusiastic backing of his boss, Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman), and the decidedly more guarded optimism of network exec David Tebet (Willem Dafoe), who gives the mixed signals that Michaels should blow through any traditional constraints but is also ready to pull the plug on the experiment if he determines it’s not ready.

All the while, Michaels has to cut enough sketches so the three-hour dress rehearsal can be halved and stroke the egos of comedic savants ranging from Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith) and John Belushi (Matt Wood) to Andy Kaufman (Nicholas Braun) and host George Carlin (Matthew Rhys).

He’s also trying to figure out if his writer wife Rosie (Rachel Sennott) will be using her surname or his in the credits. And just when it seems like everything is going to work out, it falls apart again.

From the moment you’re thrown onto the set, there’s an undeniable energy as everyone scrambles to get things ready. It’s a thrilling ride without a single dull moment. The screenplay, a collaborative effort between Gil Kenan and Jason Reitman, the breakneck cinematography by Eric Steelberg and sharp editing by Nathan Orloff & Shane Reid propel the non-stop frantic pace with last minute adjustments that compliments its game cast.

The script balances tension and comedy, paying homage to the anarchic energy of SNL’s origins while offering insight into the fragile egos, narcotic excesses and volatile personalities that shaped its creation.

Longtime fans of SNL will enjoy spotting the many, many Easter egg references to SNL‘s most-famous and beloved sketches, the majority of which would not have been present and ready before this first showing. One of the best moments has Chevy Chase and Michael O’Donohue (Tommy Dewey) breaking the ice in a room full of network affiliate station presidents.

At the heart of the film is the intense struggle between creative freedom and network oversight. It expertly depicts the writers’ war with the censors, particularly Joan Carbuncle (Catherine Curtin), who clashes with the show’s team over content.

Now, while the biopic excels in capturing the essence of its characters and infusing humor to keep audiences laughing, it does have one notable flaw: it ends a bit abruptly. Yes, the conclusion is expected, but still, it felt like a few more beats could’ve been hit before the credits rolled.

Nevertheless, the ensemble delivers outstanding performances, each of them embracing the high-octane tone. Gabriel LaBelle truly shines here, delivering a breakout performance that anchors the entire film. Rachel Sennott is equally captivating, shouldering the film with LaBelle. Dylan O’Brien nails his portrayal of Dan Aykroyd, Cory Michael Smith captures the essence of Chevy Chase, and Nicholas Braun impressively balances two distinct characters throughout the film.

In supporting turns, Matt Wood, Cooper Hoffman, Matthew Rhys, Ella Hunt, Emily Fairn, Lamone Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Corinne Britti, Nicholas Podany, Robert Wuhl, Jon Batiste, Kaia Gerber, Tracy Letts, Brad Garrett, Willem Dafoe and J.K. Simmons are simply excellent. On the whole, ‘Saturday Night’ is a chaotic roller coaster that brilliantly encapsulates the frantic spirit of the classic program, while managing to be deliciously entertaining throughout.