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Review: SATURDAY NIGHT is a fun dive into the chaos of SNL’s debut

Review: SATURDAY NIGHT is a fun dive into the chaos of SNL’s debut

As someone who grew up loving Saturday night live through his golden years, looking Saturday evening it was like stepping back into a time capsule of raw, wild comedy.

For those who remember when SNL was at its peak, full of edgy, no-holds-barred boundary-pushing humor, it’s hard not to feel nostalgic for what the show once was.

I was a huge fan of SNL in the early 2000s, but as time went on the show seemed to lose its magic. These days, I pop in for an episode here and there, but it doesn’t have the same energy or sparkle as it used to. Watching Saturday evening it reminded me why I fell in love with the show in the first place.

This film perfectly captures the chaotic energy of the 90 minutes leading up to the very first episode of SNL, and what a chaotic ride it is. From the moment the film begins, it’s nonstop action and tension, demonstrating just how close the show came to never going off the air.

It’s billed as a comedy thriller and I couldn’t agree more. The film is a rollercoaster of emotions: one moment you’re laughing at the absurd situations these comedians and writers find themselves in, and the next moment you’re holding your breath, wondering how they’ll make it out in time.

Dan Aykroyd himself said that the film is “pretty accurate” and you can feel the authenticity in every scene. The creators of the film, Jason Reitmann AND Gil Kenanwent to great lengths to make sure this wasn’t just a glamorized version of the Hollywood story.

They’ve interviewed every living member of the cast, writer and crew since that first night, and their efforts have paid off. You can see the rawness of the film and the kind of fast-paced, unfiltered creative process that shaped those early episodes of SNL.

Gabriel LaBelleLorne Michaels’ portrayal is extraordinary. He brings a certain gravitas to the role while maintaining the dry humor and almost maniacal dedication you’d expect from a man who was about to change television forever.

The rest of the cast does a fantastic job too, in particular Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Matt wood as John Belushi, Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris, Kim Matula as Jane Curtin, Ella Hunt like Gilda Radner and more.

You feel like you’re watching these iconic comedians in their early days, trying to figure out what SNL would become as the clock ticks.

The film takes place in real time, counting down to the first “Live from New York…” moment. It’s a clever approach and puts you in the situation with the cast and crew, feeling all their panic, excitement and exhaustion.

In the end, you’re as relieved as they must have been when they finally aired the show. Watching this movie, it’s clear what a miracle it was that SNL didn’t completely crash and burn on its first night. The stakes were ridiculously high and Saturday evening he doesn’t hesitate to show how precarious the whole situation was.

What I love most about this film is how it captures the heart of what made SNL so special in those early days with unfiltered creativity. There was no real formula back then, no safety net. The comedy was dangerous and exciting because it came from a place of pure passion and a little bit of madness. The film reflects this beautifully.

For anyone who is a fan of the early years of SNL, Saturday evening It’s a must watch. It’s not just a film about the beginning of a comedy institution, it’s a reminder of the power of taking risks, throwing caution to the wind, and creating something entirely new.

Watching it made me wish I could return to that same sense of unpredictability in comedy. Maybe we can’t recreate those early years, but Saturday evening it definitely makes you feel like you’re there, right in the middle, watching the story unfold.

Saturday evening is a wild, exhilarating and intense celebration of the creative chaos that launched a cultural phenomenon. It’s an inside look at the genius and madness that birthed one of the most influential comedy shows of all time.

If you’ve ever wondered what those 90 minutes before the first SNL broadcast were really like, this film makes you feel them fully.

by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant

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