Saturday Night Live has never really found a significant audience in the UK but it is an institution on NBC in the United States. Jason Reitman’s drama depicts the evening leading up to its premiere in 1975.
Reitman directs with flair, using a series of long takes, roving around both the sets and backstage during the absolutely chaotic preparation and rehearsals. I have no idea whether this is an accurate representation of what happened on the night, but it makes for an entertaining enough movie that is packed with a talented cast. Gabriel LaBelle takes centre stage as the creator and producer Lorne Michaels and he does pretty well, though it is Rachel Sennett as his wife and show writer who impresses the most, again showing that she is an outstanding talent.
Cory Michael Smith gets a lion’s share of the funniest lines as the one comic genius who emerged from the show, Chevy Chase. It was also pleasing to see the talented British actress, Emily Fairn, so good in The Responder on TV, get a significant part, as Laraine Newman. JK Simmons appears briefly as Milton Berle and he steals every scene he is in.
Enjoyable as Saturday Night is, it does feel a bit self important at times, and it did not leave me any wiser about its popularity.
Rating: 7 out of 10