Jason Reitman is a filmmaker filled with nostalgia. One of the many reasons for this is due to his father being the late Ivan Reitman, the director of hit films Kindergarten Cop, Stripes, Twins and the Ghostbusters films. Jason was only a kid but he witnessed his dad create these stories in a way that continues to influence himself. Jason Reitman as a result became a filmmaker and he’s made films such as Up in the Air, Juno, Young Adult and Ghostbusters: Afterlife. His films all have that essence of nostalgia from the way they’re made, the way they look and the lasting impact they have as well. The reason for bringing this up is that Reitman is digging into his past again for one of those memories most Americans his age will have. The night Saturday Night first came to television.
Saturday Night Live, as it is known for now, is a show which music segments, celebrity guests, sketches and skits, and lots of humour. The film, Saturday Night, explores the first night the show came together and it was by no means an easy task. The studio and network that produced the show almost guaranteed it would fail and that meant the creator of the show, Lorne Michaels, had free rein to just go all out and make it the show he wanted with no risk at all. Off course it went down in history as one of America’s greatest late night shows that still runs to this day, but at the time it was something of an experiment, and a very expensive experiment too.
Lorne Michaels is played by Gabriel LaBelle, and we follow Michaels throughout the film as the stress and anxiety of making it to start time starts to sink in for him. Surrounding him was a bunch of comedy talent who at the time were all relatively unknowns but thanks to the success of the show went on to become comedy legends. The likes of which included Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, George Carlin and then you had John Belushi too. Dylan O’Brien, Cory Michael Smith, Matthew Rhys and Matt Wood all inhabit these illustrious actors of comedy talent. Each one shines in their own way with no-one stepping on anyone else's toes. They all equally steal the film and that is mainly in part thanks to Reitman’s ability to craft a film with a huge ensemble.
The film does risk a few times of running away with itself with so many people involved in the film. Willem Dafoe and J.K. Simmons have small but pivotal roles in the film but this proves the film has way too elements to play with. The reason for the chaotic nature of the film is because that this is the atmosphere Reitman wanted to re-create as this is what it was like on the night. The 1970s are brought to life in a such a way that the film does feel like a time capsule in a way. It may not be an influential film but the idea is the film shows how influential Saturday Night was on American television, and sometimes you need a little bit of chaos to bring a little magic to life.
★★★★☆
4/5
Final Verdict:
Saturday Night, just like its namesake, is a starry ensemble piece about a key moment that changed late night American television. It may not have that monumental feeling for British audiences, but it still has a special feeling to it. Filmmaker Jason Reitman crafts a film with energy, wit and a sense of chaos which comes together in a hilarious way. It feels in many ways like a love letter to the show. All the cast inhabit real actors with tremendous respect and individuality. Everyone steals the show and it comes together for an unforgettable moment when the cameras begin to roll.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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