Striking accuracy, artistry in ‘Saturday Night’ outweighs its weak spots
Madison Denis | Contributing Illustrator
The cast of "Saturday Night" accurately portrays comedic legends through voices and mannerisms. The movie captures a heartfelt theme of perseverance through skilled camera work.
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Sketch comedy is a cornerstone of American television. Shows like “In Living Color,” “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” and “Key & Peele” are beloved for their relatability and appeal to broad audiences. The story of how this premise was once a bold risk may be just as entertaining as the shows themselves.
Jason Reitman’s film, “Saturday Night,” is a romanticized and dramatic recounting of the television industry at a time of change. Its story surrounds a movement in the 1970s when film and television were overtaken by a revolution of young artists. The film is informative but maintains the great sense of humor of the people whose lives it adapts.
The movie follows “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels’ (Gabriel Labelle) intense struggle to debut the show with an uncooperative cast, faulty equipment and resistance from higher-ups at NBC.
In the 49 years since its premiere, SNL has become an icon of American culture, but the film depicts a frantic and uncertain first show. It replicates the anxiety of preparing for an on-air show.
The camera leads the audience through the corridors of Studio 8H where SNL is filmed. Long takes reveal the frenzy and incoordination. At every shaky turn, the frame is filled with props, sets and crew members, creating a claustrophobic experience. The camera’s constant fidgeting places the viewer in the center of the chaos, causing them to feel like an active participant.
The score by Jon Batiste also contributes to the movie’s jittery tone. The fast-paced drums and trumpets mirror the famous Saturday Night Live Band, while simultaneously reinforcing the plot’s sense of urgency.
Similar to Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” (2023), the film uses certain techniques to appear authentic to its ‘70s setting. Lenses that mimic vintage film grain, period-appropriate hair and makeup and dim lighting emulate films of the decade like “Rocky” (1976) and “Animal House” (1978).
The story portrays several comedic legends like Billy Crystal (Nicholas Podany), George Carlin (Matthew Rhys) and Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), all of whom are brought to life with shocking accuracy. Podany in particular is almost indistinguishable from Crystal through his voice and mannerisms.
Another highlight performance is from Nicholas Braun, who plays both Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson. Braun is challenged with honoring two wildly different personas, each with cultural significance and established public perceptions. He does so seamlessly, accurately characterizing both.
Michaels’ uphill battle against disapproving network executives is the narrative’s most engaging thread. Authority figures like David Tebet (Willem Dafoe) and Milton Berle (J.K. Simmons) serve as symbols of the overused and outdated late-night programs that SNL seeks to divert.
Throughout the movie, there is a looming threat of the broadcast being replaced with a rerun of “The Tonight Show.” Rather than employing a run-of-the-mill antagonist, the conflict is compelling by pitting Michaels against a system he hopes to revolutionize.
One of the few weak points in “Saturday Night” is some occasional tonal whiplash. The same breakneck pacing that creates the film’s frenetic energy also leads to plot points that aren’t fully developed.
Subplots like Garrett Morris’ (Lamorne Morris) identity crisis and the love triangle between Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O’Brien) and Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn) are briefly addressed and then brushed over.
The movie relies heavily on its audience’s familiarity with SNL, which is rewarding to long-time fans, but isolating to the average moviegoer. An avid viewer of the show will revel in picking out subtle references like the short film by Albert Brooks that was featured in the first episode. However, the movie spends very little time establishing the identities of each character or how the show came to be, assuming the audience is already familiar.
“Saturday Night” does an excellent job at juggling fast-paced laughs, a stressful “ticking clock” plotline and heartfelt themes of perseverance. Its message of pushing the envelope and challenging the establishment is a valuable pro-art sentiment. Because of its entertainment value and artistic merit, it may just be the best film of the year.
Published on October 17, 2024 at 12:04 am
