Who knew that “Saturday Night Live,” the live comedy-sketch TV NBC show, would ever celebrate 50 years on October 11, 1975? This groundbreaking show, which launched the careers of numerous comedy legends, has become a cultural phenomenon. The fun-filled movie “Saturday Night” looks back on the show’s premiere night and the fact that it’s nothing short of a miracle that the show even aired. Growing up with the show, living in a remote city in western Nebraska brought the city of New York into my living room. I always looked forward to viewing the show, and even watching the opening of New York City nightlife was exciting. Now, we have an up close and personal view of mishaps, showing us that comedy is no easy job.
The film’s director is Jason Reitman of the Academy Award Nominated films “Juno” (2007) and “Up in the Air” (2009). His more recent works include “Tully” (2018) and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021). “Saturday Night” is a biographical comedy-drama that relives the frenzied night the show opened. The script is written by Reitman and Gil Kenan. If you’re looking for a straight biographical film, this is not for you, as facts are skewed, and persons are added that were nowhere near NBC at Rockefeller Center the night the show opened. “Saturday Night” is a non-stop, in-your-face film that does create the craziness of the first cast as well as the insane atmosphere of the night. Forget eating your popcorn; there’s no time to even look into the box to grab some. The best part was that people applauded after my screening.
The basic plot revolves around Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) as he deals with countless problems in order to get the show ready. The dysfunctional cast with prima-donna Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith) and the wacky John Belushi (Matt Wood) not to mention the fish out of water mild-mannered Jim Henson (Nicholas Braun) whose puppets—Big Bird to name one is hung up by twine around his neck by cast members as a joke—no laughing matter as Henson plays it straight as if the puppets are offended and may be in actual distress. The real threat is David Tebet (Willem Dafoe) has brought several executives to see the show despite his lack of faith in the show’s concept. Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman) warns that a tape of a Johnny Carson Tonight Show rerun is ready to roll.
A very stoned and coked-up guest host, George Carlin, thinks the entire show is never going to happen. Throughout the film, Michaels won’t answer the million-dollar question, “What is the show even about?” He dodges it every time, with the same puzzled look on his face, never completely answering. Michael’s is the reason the movie works as his non-stop banter and movements are stellar. He played a young Steven Spielberg and gave another fabulous performance here. Yes, his character makes the film work. J.K. Simmons plays a somewhat creepy Milton Berle; I’m not sure why he’s even in the film, as he has a mean-spirited vibe. And who knew Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), no relation to Garrett, was actually a trained opera singer? Oh, there’s plenty more to discover that I’m leaving to your viewing. Hopefully, you’ll like it as much as I did. “Saturday Night” is playing now in theaters everywhere.
Sarah Knight Adamson© October 20, 2024