SNL

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As a dedicated cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Jason Reitman’s 2024 movie titled “Saturday Night” has climbed up Netflix’s top 10 list, currently gracing their streaming platform. This comedic masterpiece, set on October 11, 1975, takes us on a captivating journey through the crucial hours leading to the first live recording of NBC’s Saturday Night Live. The film boasts an impressive cast portraying the comedy legends who later made the series an unparalleled success. With mostly favorable reviews, it’s no wonder subscribers are loving it!

The movie was generally appreciated, earning a 78% positive review from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, along with an 84% approval rating from audiences. It stars Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, and Cooper Hoffman, among others. The film primarily focuses on the portrayal of Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, creator and producer of SNL.

Discussions surrounding the film largely revolved around its authenticity compared to real-life events, much like with many true stories. However, it’s worth noting that while Saturday Night portrays the first SNL broadcast as an incredibly chaotic production, some aspects were exaggerated for dramatic effect. For instance, the brick foundation laying scene shown throughout the film didn’t actually occur so close to the show’s air date. Similarly, though Cory Michael Smith’s portrayal of Chevy Chase captures some of his antics, many of these events didn’t transpire on the night of the premiere itself.

‘Saturday Night’ is a Compelling and Mostly Accurate Biopic

Although the movie included some overly dramatic scenes to keep viewers engaged, the casting in Saturday Night was remarkably well done. One major factor contributing to the film’s positive reviews is the strong resemblance of the characters to the original creative minds behind the series. This makes it an excellent choice for Netflix viewers interested in learning more about the show’s history, especially as SNL celebrates its 50th anniversary. Even some former cast members of SNL have given their approval to the movie, not because it accurately portrays events but rather for how effectively it captures the atmosphere of filming what would become a legendary late-night sketch comedy show.

Among SNL’s six founding actors, Dan Aykroyd commended the movie as an “excellent glimpse into the creative journey.” Dylan O’Brien portrays Aykroyd in Saturday Night and is one of several younger actors who successfully captured the film’s chaotic essence. Nevertheless, not everyone depicted in the movie was content with its portrayal; Chevy Chase, one such individual, criticized director Jason Reitman for being “ashamed” of the film he produced.

Regardless of the opinions held by the actual individuals involved in the first season of Saturday Night, the movie is proving to be popular on streaming platforms. If you appreciate rapid-fire and suspenseful humor, along with an engaging underdog narrative, then Saturday Night is definitely worth watching on Netflix. For those who are fans of SNL, it also offers a captivating look at how much the series has evolved since its inception in 1975.

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2025-01-28 21:06