Saturday Night (2024)

Jason Reitman's chaotic new film is about the blood, sweat, and tears that resulted in the cultural phenomenon we all know as SNL. Starring both relatively new talent like Cory Michael Smith (Chevy Chase) and Matt Wood as (John Belushi) while also utilizing big names like  Dylan O'Brien, William Dafoe, and J.K. Simmons. It's safe to say that there are big names in every scene, weather you know the actors or not, you'll probably know who they're playing. The energy of the cast is deliberately and successfully used to turn the 1970's NBC studio into a madhouse of ego, drugs, and stress as Lorne Michaels is on the verge of creating something great. Reitman's direction is unexpectedly unique in it's real time tracking of the 90 minutes leading up till the first episode of SNL goes live. The palpable atmosphere is created using a gorgeous 70's film grain and the camera features long uninterrupted tracking shots, often whipping itself around without ever being "shaky." It's an intoxicating experience that is both anxiety inducing and gut wrenchingly funny. One of my favorites of the year so far.

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