Saturday Night, the newest film from director Jason Reitman, opens with a famous quote by Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels: “The show doesn’t go on because it’s ready; it goes on because it’s 11:30.” This quote has guided SNL through fifty years of episodes. Given that each show is prepared in less than a week, it’s impressive that any episode ever airs.
Sometimes, the show features top comedians with jokes and political commentary that become iconic. At other times, it’s a mix of whatever could be quickly put together. For those who think “Saturday Night Live isn’t relevant or funny anymore,” remember that the show has always been a mixed bag, even when you grew up with it.
In Saturday Night, Reitman, who co-wrote the film with Gil Kenan, focuses on capturing the hectic process of preparing for an SNL show.
Rather than having young actors impersonate comedy legends or striving for a historically accurate retelling of the 90 minutes before SNL’s first episode, Reitman aims to show the frantic spirit of getting ready for a show that goes live at 11:30 P.M. It’s often more chaotic than putting on a comedy show, making it a minor miracle that SNL has succeeded for nearly fifty years.
What Is ‘Saturday Night’ About?
Gabriel LaBelle (The Fabelmans) stars as the young Lorne Michaels, trying to convince NBC that his idea of a live comedy show with musical guests, movies, Muppets, and more is a good one. His producer, Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman), is working to keep things on track and benefit the studio.
With only 90 minutes to go, it seems unlikely that Saturday Night will be ready to air. Network executives are pressuring Michaels, John Belushi (Matt Wood) hasn’t signed his contract, there are issues with lighting, bricks are still being laid, and Michaels hasn’t even decided how to shorten the show to an hour and a half. With so many problems, it seems Michaels’ project might not make it to air, no matter what time it is.
‘Saturday Night’ Is More Than Just a String of Impressions
The film begins by introducing the characters playing the original SNL cast without halting the story. The casting is excellent and aims to capture the spirit of the original cast without making direct impressions. For instance, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd is an unusual choice, but O’Brien captures the essence of Aykroyd without overdoing the impression.
Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris (Garrett Morris), and Cory Michael Smith (Chevy Chase) match the spirit of the original actors without trying to copy them exactly. The film also portrays the three female cast members—Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Jane Curtin (Kim Matula), and Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn)—as a unified trio in a male-dominated environment.
Balancing Michaels’ frantic energy is Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), his separated wife, showing that Shuster was a crucial support to Michaels and the show’s success.
‘Saturday Night’ Is More a Celebration Than a Factual Recreation – And That’s a Good Thing
Although Reitman and Kenan aim to base each character’s story on facts from the night of the first episode, the film doesn’t strive for a precise retelling. It exaggerates the intensity of Michaels’ experience, presenting a dramatized version of the events leading up to the show’s premiere.
Moments like Michaels explaining the show to network executive David Tebet (Willem Dafoe) or witnessing Belushi ice skate in a bee costume add to the narrative but may feel forced. These elements help create a more engaging story structure than the real-life chaos.
Saturday Night is Reitman’s best film since his previous works with Diablo Cody, such as 2018’s Tully and 2011’s Young Adult. Reitman builds tension through the constant stream of problems needing quick solutions. Jon Batiste’s score, featuring a steady drum beat, enhances the tension, similar to Birdman.
Reitman’s passion for SNL shines through, capturing the energy and challenge of creating this landmark episode of television. His dynamic camera work and editing contribute to a vibrant portrayal of the chaotic production process.
The film might be overwhelming for viewers unfamiliar with SNL and its history. It assumes a lot of knowledge about the show and its cast, which could be confusing for some. Despite this, Saturday Night is an exciting and funny tribute to Saturday Night Live.
It highlights the immense effort required to produce the show and celebrates its legacy and impact on comedy and television. Reitman’s film is one of his finest in years and will be shown at the Toronto International Film Festival before its U.S. release on September 27.
