“Saturday Night” tells the story behind the very first episode of the now-revered live sketch comedy show, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). The film portrays in real time the 90 minutes, from 10:00 p.m. to the moment the show is set to go live at 11:30 p.m., of intense buildup to this historic debut. Though the film relies heavily on nostalgia and the audience’s familiarity with the source material, it is kept afloat by bold stylistic choices and committed performances from the cast.
At the center of the film is Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle), the creator of SNL, as he scrambles to get the show on the air with the help of his ex-wife, Rosie Schuster (Rachel Sennot). Together they navigate ill will from NBC executives and the eccentricities and egos of the show’s original cast members — Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O’Brien), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), Gilda Radnor (Ella Hunt), Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn), Jane Curtin (Kim Matula) and John Belushi (Matt Wood) — in a race to stage a successful performance.
Throughout the film, Michaels is repeatedly asked what the show is supposed to be, with those closest to him questioning whether he himself knows what it is. The question is never answered within the movie, implying that audiences, having spent nearly 50 years with SNL, already understand its essence. This self-awareness underscores that “Saturday Night” is a movie unarguably made for fans of the show. It contains many callbacks to the very first episode, recreating almost every sketch that premiered that night. Viewers are meant to make comparisons between the original material and the recreations, and the emotional impact relies on the viewer’s familiarity and affection for the show.
Unfortunately, being a fan of the show seems to be a prerequisite for watching and enjoying the film. The characters are often not introduced, other than one mention of their name, and there is little to no emotional development. As a result, the only way to have an emotional connection to the film is to have an emotional connection to the source material. Watching the movie without any previous experience of the show feels a bit like sitting in a room with a group of old friends and finding yourself on the outside of an inside joke.
Despite the abundance of callbacks, the film remains thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. The entire theater spent the length of the film laughing in unison, both at the newly written jokes and the nods to the source material. This speaks to the continued relevance of SNL, which persists into the present day, its humor still resonating after nearly 50 years. Even for those unfamiliar with the show, the sharp and witty dialogue stands on its own, delivering hearty laughs and keeping the audience thoroughly entertained for the entire runtime.
One of the highlights of the film is the cinematography. The camerawork is dizzying, racing around in a chaotic manner attempting to follow each and every person within the story. The chaos and tension of the events of film are echoed in the cinematography, enhancing the mood of the film. The film follows Michaels as he, literally and figuratively, puts out fires. Many scenes are taken in one long shot, transporting you into the events of the film. The ticking clock is a constant presence, emphasized through on-screen time stamps and verbal references to time. One production member within the film is shown steadily creating a brick stage, representing the show as each piece slowly falls into place.
Everyone and everything, from the makeup to the hair to the bricks, looks straight from the ’70s. The vibrant clothing, vintage accessories and period-specific decor all work cohesively to create a seamless visual experience. The effort put into recreating this time period adds a level of realism to the movie while drawing viewers into the world of the character, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere and tension of the film.
Because almost every actor in the film is portraying a real person, the movie ran a risk of becoming yet another substandard impression of audiences’ favorite actors. However, the cast managed to capture the essence of who their role was back then. In his portrayal, Smith fully embodied Chevy Chase, a character so eccentric that nailing his mannerisms is an impressive feat alone. He managed to perfectly balance the outwardly charming face of the new show with an underlying cruelty to others rooted in his own insecurity.
Another standout performance is by LaBelle, who portrays the mannerisms of Michaels with startling accuracy, authentically conveying the stress of the moment and the weight of creating something lasting.
“Saturday Night” is a love letter to SNL fans, honoring the show and its original cast members, however, its reliance on nostalgia may limit its emotional appeal to those without a connection to the show’s history. Nevertheless, with its phenomenal performances, immersive set design, hectic cinematography and snappy dialogue, the film successfully captures the iconic energy of the historic television show.
