Straight from Telluride, Sony Pictures’ biographical comedy-drama “Saturday Night” is officially in the Oscar race thanks to a stellar cast, a gripping script and masterful craftsmanship. The film drew huge attention at the festival, with nearly 300 people turned away and the first attendees arriving as early as 2:30 p.m. for the 7:15 p.m. screening. Jason Reitman’s crowd-pleaser is now firmly in position to be a contender in several Oscar categories, including Best Picture.
Directed by Reitman, who co-wrote the film with former “SNL” cast member Bill Murray, it takes place in 1975 and takes place 90 minutes before the premiere of NBC's long-running “Saturday Night Live.”
With a cast of more than 20 actors who have delivered outstanding performances in their roles, “Saturday Night” is in the running for a top five spot for best ensemble at the SAG Awards. If nominated, it could break the record for the most actors recognized in the category, surpassing eventual winner “Gosford Park,” which had 21 actors in its cast.
ReadsYou can see all the Oscar predictions in all 23 categories on one page at: diverse Awards Circle: Oscars.
Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
However, the awards campaign and PR teams will face the daunting task of rallying the cast to select which actors to cast for their own lineups.
Gabriel LaBelle, who rose to prominence as a young Steven Spielberg in the 2022 drama “The Fabelmans,” stars as legendary producer and “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels. He’s arguably the film’s hero, as the camera and drama follow Michaels floor by floor as he deals with unbalanced cast members and disgruntled craftspeople. But he may have a stronger shot in a supporting role, as the lead actor category favors older, more experienced actors.
It’s hard to single out a single standout performance. Besides Labelle, Tommy Dewey’s fun, easygoing portrayal of Saturday Night Live writer-actor Michael O’Donoghue, and Lamorne Morris’s charismatic, musical Garrett Morris, were noteworthy. Cooper Hoffman’s performance as young NBC executive Dick Ebersol and Matt Wood’s brilliant portrayal of John Belushi were also impressive.
Additionally, the sarcastic and arrogant Chevy Chase, played by Cory Michael Smith, got plenty of laughs, while Dan Aykroyd, played by Dylan O'Brien in the shorts, provided several memorable moments. Veteran actors Willem Dafoe as network executive David Tippett and J.K. Simmons as comedian Milton Berle (who delivered a stunning cameo), may also grab the attention of Academy members. Murray may have attended the premiere, but he didn't join the cast until its second season.
The women in Saturday Night didn't have as much to do as one might hope. Rachel Sennott's fiery performance as Michaels' secret wife, Rosie Schuster, was a standout, but her role lacked a single scene of serious thought.
In recent years, crowd-pleasing titles have found their way onto the Oscar radar, with films like “The Holdovers” (2023), “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022), and “Jojo Rabbit” (2019) making their mark. Reitman and co-writer Gil Kenan have crafted a film that will appeal to older AMPAS voters who like to reminisce about the good old days. With explosive dialogue reminiscent of awards favorites “Birdman” (2014) and “The Social Network” (2010), the Oscar battle for original screenplay for “Saturday Night” looks likely. This is shaping up to be a close battle, with other well-received films like “Anora” and “Emilia Perez” also seen as contenders for their screenplays.
Reitman, who was nominated twice for directing for “Juno” and “Up in the Air,” could return to the cast, depending on how the film is received by critics and audiences. It could help that “Saturday Night” has strong commercial potential.
Eric Stellberg’s stunning cinematography is among his best, while editors Nathan Orloff and Shane Reed keep the pace frenetic and adrenaline-fueled. Oscar-winning composer Jon Batiste, who also stars in the film as musical guest Billy Preston, likely sought out an original score, since he played live on set while the actors were filming. The sound team, which includes four-time Oscar nominee Stephen Morrow, may also be recognized as the sound mixer.
“Saturday Night” packs a lot of punch in its 103-minute runtime, but it’s a very satisfying series, especially for fans of the show. Even if you haven’t watched an episode or stopped watching a few seasons ago, Reitman and his cast offer a window into the lives of a group of artists who left an indelible mark on television and changed the world of comedy.
