As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours binge-watching the hilarious skits of Saturday Night Live and delving into the lives of its iconic cast members, I can confidently say that Saturday Night is a must-see movie for any fan of comedy or American pop culture history. Dan Aykroyd, one of the original six cast members in 1975, has lent his seal of approval to this biographical comedy-drama, even going so far as to call it a “standalone masterpiece” and a worthy candidate for Best Picture.
On Saturday night, a movie based on the true events behind the debut of Saturday Night Live in 1975 is causing quite a stir with its premiere. Notably, Dan Aykroyd, a key figure in NBC’s sketch comedy, has endorsed the film by labeling it as a “standalone masterpiece.” This biographical comedy-drama delves into the backstage turmoil and innovative spirit that surrounded the broadcast of the inaugural episode of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975, as Lorne Michaels and the rest of the team navigated the tumultuous waters of making history.
Last Friday, marking the 49th anniversary of the debut of Saturday Night Live, Aykroyd expressed his admiration for the revolutionary film on platform X. In his own words:
Celebrating Jason Reitman’s stunning SNL movie triumph with enthusiasm! This film is an exhilarating, captivating, hilarious, superbly cast and acted, suspenseful, adventurous, musically rich journey. It offers a flawless glimpse into the creative process at its pinnacle.
In 1975, Aykroyd, being one of the original six cast members, played a crucial part in transforming what started as chaos into an unexpected and rebellious cultural sensation. Saturday Night Live (SNL) quickly gained popularity, and Aykroyd’s support for the show carries significant influence. In fact, he went so far as to dub it as a potential contender for the Best Picture award.
“Extremely well done! I was present that night, and it was a pleasure to revisit the event so vividly. Kudos to Gil [Kenan, co-writer], Jason, and producer Jason Blumenfeld. Regardless of your familiarity with the show, this piece is not to be missed. It’s a self-contained masterpiece that could easily contend for Best Picture.
Apart from delivering hilarious sketches such as “Coneheads” and “Blues Brothers,” Aykroyd played a significant role in the early success of the show through his writing skills. In fact, he was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series in 1977. His unique humor and talent for portraying quirky characters helped set the distinctive tone and style that made “SNL” so groundbreaking. Consequently, finding someone to fill his character’s shoes was quite challenging.
Praise For Dylan O’Brien’s Portrayal Of Dan Aykroyd
On Saturday Night, there’s an array of captivating characters gracing our screens. Gabriel LaBelle takes on the role of Lorne Michaels, a key figure behind the scenes as executive producer and co-creator of Saturday Night Live. Cory Michael Smith embodies Chevy Chase, the initial weekend update anchor. Matt Wood portrays John Belushi, who had multiple stints on the show but continued to be well-liked due to his original team member status. Andrew Barth Feldman plays Neil Levy and Ella Hunt is Gilda Radner. Notably, Dylan O’Brien stars as Dan Aykroyd.
Jason Reitman, the director, explained to Deadline that they had a tough time finding an actor who could capture Aykroyd’s distinctive blend of comedy and intensity. He mentioned that it felt like they were searching for Dan (Aykroyd) for a whole year. Eventually, O’Brien stepped in and essentially rescued the movie from a creative standpoint.
“He’s exceptionally witty with an unusual eloquence that sets him apart from others, boasting a remarkable memory for details, language, and history. Not only is he strikingly handsome, but he also possesses a charming allure that catches one off guard. Enter Dylan O’Brien – he was our knight in shining armor. I’ve known Dan for quite some time, having grown up with Aykroyd and now having directed him. It feels like I could pen any scene for Dan Aykroyd at this point. His voice is familiar to me, and when I handed Dylan the keys to locate Aykroyd, it was as if they unlocked a hidden door, completing the puzzle.
Reitman’s task was not just about choosing actors who could embody the characters of the original crew, but also ensuring they would fully embrace and portray the peculiarities and unique traits that made them legendary. Interestingly, Ivan Reitman, Reitman’s father, often worked with Aykroyd and directed movies such as Ghostbusters and Evolution. Contrastingly, O’Brien has demonstrated his acting prowess and adaptability in various roles, from Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf to Thomas in the Maze Runner series, both on screen and television.
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2024-10-13 16:31