Pic-Waves

Not Ready for Prime Time… or Any Time

When you hear about a movie called Saturday Night, you might expect a wild, rock ‘n’ roll origin story about the meteoric rise of Saturday Night Live—a show that defined counter-culture comedy for decades. Instead, Jason Reitman’s 2024 biopic painfully focuses on the mere 90 minutes leading up to the premiere episode on October 11, 1975. Yep, you read that right—it’s not about the history of the legendary show, but just the chaotic hours before it aired. And somehow, despite the built-in tension of a live show countdown, Saturday Night delivers all the thrill of watching someone decide between decaf or espresso.

The (Lack of) Plot:
The film confines itself to the behind-the-scenes chaos leading up to the debut of what we now know as SNL. For two hours, we watch as young Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) frantically tries to hold together a hodgepodge of talented but unruly personalities. While there’s some humor to be mined in the antics of Chevy Chase, John Belushi, and Gilda Radner, the movie never quite escapes the feeling that it’s a bloated prelude to something more interesting that never happens.

A Chevy Chase Crash Course:
The lone bright spot in this otherwise tiresome watch is Cory Michael Smith’s spot-on portrayal of Chevy Chase. His ability to capture Chase’s early arrogance, comedic timing, and all-around bravado is nothing short of impressive. His performance anchors the film, but it’s a bit like having the best-tasting crouton in a bland salad—you’re still left wanting more of the meal to shine. Smith is so good that it makes you wonder why the movie didn’t expand more on his character’s rise post-episode one​.​

Casting Calls of Comedy Legends:
While Smith shines as Chase, the supporting cast fails to ignite much excitement. Dylan O’Brien, playing Dan Aykroyd, brings some charm to his role but feels underused. Meanwhile, Ella Hunt’s Gilda Radner and Kim Matula’s Jane Curtin don’t get nearly enough screen time to showcase the groundbreaking work these women did on SNL. It’s like a live-action wax museum where everyone resembles their historical counterparts, but the heart and soul are missing​.

More Nostalgia Than Substance:
Reitman, known for films like Juno and Ghostbusters: Afterlife, clearly reveres the cultural impact of SNL. But instead of giving us an inside look at the genius that would go on to transform TV comedy, he leans too heavily on nostalgia. The manic energy of the moments before going live is lost in over-sanitized, safe storytelling​

This was a golden opportunity to explore the gritty realities and rebellious spirit of those early days, but the movie instead plays it way too safe.

Final Verdict:
Saturday Night is like being invited to a party, only to realize it’s just a two-hour conversation about how to set up the sound system. While Cory Michael Smith does a brilliant Chevy Chase impersonation, that’s not nearly enough to carry a film bogged down by its narrow focus and lackluster execution. Fans of SNL will appreciate the nostalgia, but the average viewer is likely to find this behind-the-scenes tale lacking the excitement, irreverence, and life that made the show iconic.

So, is Saturday Night worth staying up for? Let’s just say it’s more of a “not ready for prime time” snooze. Watch it if you’re a diehard fan of SNL trivia, but otherwise, save your Saturday night for something a bit more lively.