The Set’s On Fire: Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night”
Jason Reitman’s new comedy, "Saturday Night," captures the chaos of SNL’s debut in 1975. The film stars Gabriel LaBelle as producer Lorne Michaels. Using humor to explore disaster, Reitman delivers a fresh take on the legendary show’s first broadcast. The stakes are high, with everything that could go wrong seemingly happening in the tense moments leading to airtime. If things fail, NBC will air Johnny Carson instead.
Chaos on the Set
The script runs over time, network executives pressure actors for signatures, and the set falls apart. Yet, despite potential catastrophe, the cast thrives on comedic energy. J.K. Simmons and Rachel Sennott bring charisma, while Cory Michael Smith impresses as Chevy Chase. You know everything works out in the end, yet the suspense of the film is palpable. The movie celebrates SNL’s 50th anniversary, invoking laughs and stress in equal measure.
"Saturday Night" delves into the healing power of comedy. Dr. Pamela Rutledge once noted how laughter sparks happiness-inducing neurotransmitters, reducing stress and strengthening immunity. Reitman isn’t afraid to make audiences uncomfortable while maintaining the comedy.
Charm Offensive
Live broadcasting breeds uncontained bedlam, as immortalized on SNL. This charm resonates through Reitman’s storytelling, nodding to the unpredictable magic and mishaps of live performance. Michaels’ line, "The show doesn’t go on because it’s ready; it goes on because it’s 11:30," encapsulates this. The film serves as a tribute to those unforeseen moments that define SNL.
Tracing the origins of SNL, the film nods to its history and original stars. Chevy Chase, known for infamous setbacks after his talk show failed, was always a skilled comic. Other comedy legends—Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Gilda Radner—have storied pasts. Kaufman’s fate and Belushi’s tragic overdose are touched upon, making the narrative partly bittersweet. As the story unfolds, chaos reigns, but with Sinatra-like flair, it glides smoothly toward an ending that feels inevitable yet satisfying.
Feeling Skittish
Reitman captures the ensemble spirit that defines SNL, grounding the film through Michael’s dynamic presence. As cameras prepped to roll, interactions sparked with Aaron Sorkin-like energy. LaBelle’s portrayal illuminates Michaels’ internal and external struggles. He faces network pressures and personal challenges within the passionate backdrop of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Despite its exciting portrayal of themes, "Saturday Night" hasn’t matched expectations at the box office. Released across the pond last year, it saw returns far below its budget. SNL itself faces a renaissance of sorts but does not draw past thriving audiences these days. The lack of major SNL stars might factor in, but Reitman bypasses the present focus. Instead, he honors the show’s modest beginnings and the spirit of early triumph.
"Saturday Night" is now playing in UK cinemas. For more cinematic journeys into laughter, revisit the best comedy films ever crafted.
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