Saturday Night

"The attached article below is a “Fact-Check” of the upcoming ‘Saturday Night’ movie — No doubt the first decade of skits from #SNL in the #1970s were some of the best. This movie should be some happy #nostalgia for a lot of us (Rotten Tomatoes already has it at 78% on the tomato-meter) 🍅 — The movie just premiered in Toronto at #TIFF and will have its wide release on Oct. 11th, 2024, exactly 49 years after its premiere episode. https://decider.com/2024/09/28/saturday-night-movie-vs-snl-premiere/ "

"This is an impressively well made and entertaining film that focuses on the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to the first ever episode of the iconic TV show SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. I was particularly impressed by the way the film perfectly captured the energy and behind-the-scenes chaos of prepping a live comedy TV show. Phenomenal direction and writing that never lost focus on the story, and a brilliant cast that did an amazing job of inhabiting the real-life people they portrayed. The cast was so uniformly good to the point that it was hard to tell who a standout really was at times, but if I were to pick one or two, I’d hands down go with the lead star Gabriel LaBelle as the young Lorne Michaels (who had now played the younger versions of 2 iconic Hollywood figures (the other being a young Steven Spielberg in THE FABELMANS)) whose performance anchors this film remarkably effectively, along with Cory Michael Smith as the young Chevy Chase. Even cameos leave an incredible impression as well (such as J. K. Simmons as Milton Berle among others). Equally great were the editing, the sound design and the score (hope the film gets nominations for screenplay, editing, and sound at the bare minimum). A wonderful 50th anniversary tribute to SNL, and very highly recommended."

"Saturday Night (2024), directed by Jason Reitman, offers an exhilarating glimpse into the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to the inaugural broadcast of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975. The film captures the frenetic energy and behind-the-scenes turmoil that birthed a television revolution. Gabriel LaBelle delivers a compelling performance as a young Lorne Michaels, the visionary producer striving to bring his ambitious concept to life amidst network skepticism and logistical hurdles. The ensemble cast, including Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, and Dylan O'Brien as Dan Aykroyd, adeptly embodies the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players," adding authenticity to the narrative. Reitman's direction, complemented by Eric Steelberg's dynamic cinematography, immerses viewers in the whirlwind of last-minute preparations, capturing the essence of live television's unpredictability. The film's pacing mirrors the urgency of the moment, effectively conveying the high stakes and creative tensions that defined the show's debut. While Saturday Night excels in portraying the immediacy and excitement of the countdown to air, it occasionally sacrifices deeper character exploration for the sake of momentum. Some critics have noted that the film's focus on the ensemble's collective experience leaves individual backstories underdeveloped. Despite these minor shortcomings, Saturday Night stands as a vibrant homage to a pivotal moment in television history. Its blend of humor, tension, and nostalgia offers both longtime fans and newcomers an engaging look at the origins of an enduring cultural phenomenon."

"Such an intense, fast paced movie that I can’t get enough of. After talking to someone who seen this movie before me, this is definitely what uncut gems was trying to be, and I finally understand the anxious feeling from watching this movie. Also it’s nice to see the development and all the work to produce the first episode."

"This film perfectly captures a feeling that just about every creator has when making something. There is a magic watching everything go wrong, having doubts, only for it all to work out in the end, having that message inspire and be understood by millions of people. Creating a legacy. Right from the beginning you can feel the tension of time and as someone who has questionable time management, this stressed me tf out (in a good way) Also despite not being alive in the 70s this really recaptured the time and actors of that time. All of the cast looked just about identical to the original actors it really felt like a time capsule🫢 This film is the definition of believing in yourself. Can you IMAGINE someone telling Chevy Chase when he was just starting out that he won’t get far and if he listened?! As a viewer watching in my mind thinking to young Jim Henson where people didn’t see that potential like they do now, all you can think is “it’s gonna work out. That goal and vision you have will happen in time” and THATS why I love this film. "