Saturday Night (2024): A Review of SNL'S Glory Days

Tensions run high as producer Lorne Michaels and a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers prepare for the first broadcast of "Saturday Night Live" on Oct. 11, 1975.

Saturday Night (2024) instantly changed my mood, as the film began with the ticking countdown I was hooked into the utter chaos unfolding in front of me. Rooted in reality, this laugh out loud, haywire feature is a a comedy nerds dream. Taking a step back in time to SNL’s glory days, the hilariously, outrageous days of star comics and outlandish sketches. 

I never thought a film about SNL would impress me as much as this did, I was laughing out loud in the cinema and found myself leaning into the narrative and its characters. I love when a film is different, capturing a moment in time that is remembered fondly and held to high esteem. SNL in the 70’s was infamous, known for its unapologetic jokes and unpredictable cast - this film encompassed all the reasons SNL went on to be such a success. 

The cast were undeniably perfect, each cast member performed exceptionally and memorably. I was taken away by Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase and Dylan O’Brien as Dan Akyroyd - the pair have an incredibly likeness and harnessed the charisma and charm of both actors at the time.  

Nicholas Braun as Jim Henson and Andy was also exceptional, the actors brought the world of SNL to life and without their commitment to the roles the film wouldn’t have been half as entertaining. 

Gabrielle Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, again, a brilliant addition to the cast and brought a sarcastic, memorable performance to the screen. Although, I did find his character appeared to look a lot younger than the rest of the cast - it was a strange choice to age him so young but regardless, if you can look past the moments when it looked like a high school production the characters were all electric. 

Alongwith being a comedic triumph, this feature had an impactful soundtrack and memorable execution. Using long continuous shots, whipping camera transitions and extreme close ups this film dives into the madness and mayhem of the live show. Using handheld camera to add to the chaos unfolding helped keep the suspense alive and the anticipation for the show heightened. 

Overall, If you love comedy and especially if you like the original SNL cast - this film is a no brainer. You simply cannot miss it, the jokes were perfect, the humour was outlandish and crude but most importantly the cast completed the fantasy. Once the film finished and the show went live I was longing for more, I simply didn’t want the film to end and I found myself remembering jokes through the day and continuing to laugh. 

I fear SNL may be my newest hyper fixation, I am obsessed with the original cast and sketches and wish for SNL to take a look back at its predecessors and do that again. 

Probe Points

★★★★☆