Movie Review-Saturday Night

Full disclosure, as a lifelong fan of the widely-acclaimed television show, “Saturday Night Live” (now SNL), I was truly looking forward to enjoying this film. My “fandom” dates back to the 1970’s when very few shows, such as “All in the Family” were trying to take a more progressive tack vs. some of the same old sitcoms, variety hours, and game shows. In any case, this film pays homage to SNL in a way that is respectful, humorous, and for the most part, realistic. In sum, I was thoroughly entertained by this film as evidenced by the fact that I actually viewed it twice in subsequent screenings!

While older, or better said, “long-time faithful” fans of the show may “get” more of the dated references, this movie will be appreciated by younger generations as well. It is a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at how the very first SNL episode emerged in 1975 during a tremendously chaotic 90 -minute roller coaster ride (prior to allowing the first audience being allowed into the soundstage). The preparation was fraught with numerous problems including a sound system failure, cast members bickering, and NBC “suits” threatening to pull the plug on the whole venture.

 

The acting was very good with cameos from A-list actors to unknowns who portrayed the original SNL cast members. This movie is truly an ensemble piece in which characters are rarely solo on screen, but rather interacting in pairs, triads, and large groups. It moves at an extremely rapid, frenetic pace which is filled with plot and character development. To be sure, the screenplay is “jam-packed” such that the writers were clearly aiming to cram in as much material as possible in the seemingly brief 1 hour 48 minutes. The movie is never dull and the viewer needs to pay attention to simply “keep up”.

Finally, the fan feels transported back to the time when Gerald Ford was President and counter-culture, including rampant drug use, was all the rage. I trust that the vast majority of movie-goers will likely find this to be a worthwhile visit to the cinema, even though perhaps truth and realism in the film does not dial in at 100%. Nevertheless, to be sure, much of what transpires in the movie did indeed happen according to observers, however not during the 90-minute period leading up to the opening of the first show on October 11,1975.

Grade: A-

About The Peetimes: This was an extremely challenging film to identify Peetimes. It moves along at an extraordinarily rapid pace filled with plot and character development. The good news is that this is a short movie such that only two Peetimes are sufficient. To be sure, the second Peetime is the best. The first is also fine, but the moviegoer will miss some amusing comical bits.

There are extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Saturday Night.

Rated: (R) Some Drug Use | Brief Graphic Nudity | Sexual References | Language Throughout

Genres: Biography, Comedy, Drama

Starring: Kaia Gerber, J.K. Simmons, Willem Dafoe

Director: Jason Reitman

Writer(s): Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman

Language: English

Country: United States

Plot

At 11:30pm on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live.