By Anthony Caruso
"Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
It's incredible that it took this long for a movie to be made about Saturday Night Live given the fact that the show is one of television's most enduring cultural staples. But the wait was well worth it, as Saturday Night - written and directed by Jason Reitman - is a fast-paced, manic, and downright hilarious take on the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded just before the show first aired. As someone who’s always thought SNL was just okay, I didn’t expect this movie to grab me as much as it did, but wow! I feel confident saying without any hesitation at all that this is the most fun I’ve had at the movies all year. (And given what a phenomenal year this has been for movies, that's saying something!)
Let me start with the magic at the heart of this film: the tension. It’s real-time (or at least tries to maintain that illusion) and relentless, building up to the moment when the first episode of SNL goes live. The incredible part? The tension shouldn't work. We, as the audience, already know how everything turns out! We know history was made, and yet, you’ll still find yourself on the edge of your seat, feeling the pressure as everything that can go wrong does. Reitman masterfully captures that sense of uncontrollable chaos behind the scenes and it is absolutely electric. Similar to how Lorne Michaels managed to capture lightning in a bottle when he first assembled the original SNL cast, Reitman does the same here, bringing together an incredible ensemble that keeps the energy crackling throughout.
Speaking of Lorne, the character portrayal here is fascinating. Lorne Michaels has a well-known reputation as this dictatorial, enigmatic figure in real life, but Reitman’s script is surprisingly kind to him. Gabriel LaBelle plays him with just the right mix of anxiety and determination, making him almost angelic in comparison to the often ruthless figure he's been described as. Michaels should be thanking Reitman for this portrayal, for LaBelle’s Lorne is sharp, fast-talking, and, above all, maintains the illusion of control, even when everything around him is falling apart. It’s one of those performances that makes you root for the guy, even though you know his brand of perfectionism has probably driven countless people up the wall.
Now let’s talk about the rest of the ensemble that Reitman managed to assemble: they are absolutely pitch-perfect, especially the actors portraying SNL’s original "Not Ready for Primetime" players. Rachel Sennott, whom I have a massive crush on, is incredible as Rosie Schuster, Lorne’s wife, right-hand woman, and a comedy genius in her own right. She brings a sharp wit and grounded intensity to the role that balances out LaBelle’s frantic energy. But the real stars? The actors playing the very first SNL cast members. Cory Michael Smith nearly steals the film as Chevy Chase, perfectly capturing the deadpan, absurd humor that made him a household name back in the day. And it’s not just him—every single one of the original players is given their moment to shine. You can almost feel the magic in the air every single time Dylan O'Brien's Dan Aykroyd, Matt Wood's John Belushi, Ella Hunt's Gilda Radner, Kim Matula's Jane Curtin, Emily Fairn's Laraine Newman, and Lamorne Morris's Garrett Morris step onto the screen. Each actor nails their mannerisms, quirks, and comedic timing so well, you’ll swear at multiple points you're watching that original, iconic cast back in their heyday!
It’s hard to categorize Saturday Night as a traditional plot-driven movie because while there’s definitely a story arc here, it feels more like a collection of scenes capturing the personalities, the drama, and the absurdity of creating a live show episode of television. There’s a real charm to watching these larger-than-life figures clash and fumble their way through the insanity of the ninety minutes leading up to that historic show, and the real joy of the movie is watching these characters pull off the impossible.
I could go on, and on, and on about this film, but my opinion can be summed up succinctly: Saturday Night is an absolute blast! The pacing is so fast and the dialogue so sharp that I know I missed a few jokes and Easter eggs, and I can’t wait to see it again and catch all the little details I missed the first time around. Whether or not you’re a fan of SNL, have any interest in how live television is produced, or just someone looking for a damn good time at the movies, I urge you all to run - don't walk - to see this movie. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.