PremiumSaturday Night hits OTT: Jason Reitman’s biopic on SNL’s first show streams, but there's a catch
Saturday Night brings the birth of SNL to life and is now streaming on OTT platforms.
Last Updated: 02.43 PM, Dec 17, 2024
Two months after its theatrical run, Saturday Night has made its way to OTT here. Director Jason Reitman's biographical comedy-drama has begun streaming on Prime Video and ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium) but is on rent. Saturday Night transports viewers to the 1975 launch of Saturday Night, subsequently rebranded as Saturday Night Live. The film has an ensemble cast that portrays the different members of the Saturday Night cast and staff, with Gabriel LaBelle taking centerstage as Lorne Michaels, the show's creator and producer. J. K. Simmons, Finn Wolfhard, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys, and Dylan O'Brien are among the other stars. Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, and Emily Fairn are also in the cast.
Premise of Saturday Night
In Saturday Night, the real-life events that transpired in the ninety minutes preceding the initial airing of Saturday Night Live serve as the basis for Saturday Night. Packed with mayhem, comedy, and the enchantment of a revolution that nearly didn't happen, it depicts the minutes before we hear those iconic words...
Check out the trailer below:
Reviewers praised LaBelle's outstanding performance in the film, earning him a nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. Despite spending between $25 million and $30 million, the film has only made $9.8 million.
Jason Reitman on directing Saturday Night
Earlier in an interview with In Session Film, Reitman spoke about choosing to direct Saturday Night. The filmmaker stated that he sets out to make an experience where viewers could identify with the cast and crew. An immersive experience was what he aimed for. First night of Saturday Night Live, the crowd felt like part of it. The introduction of each character was unconventional. Watching this film would not have led one to believe otherwise. Someone was going to toss them in. That night, 30 individuals are scheduled to meet. So far, none of them know who they are. It's something they will have to learn on the job. By the end, the pulsating soundtrack, shifting camera, and real-time action will immerse them in the experience, making them feel like they're actually hurling bricks.
The task of creating the screenplay presented that obstacle. And that was the hardest part of making the film, but the best part has been seeing how audiences go into it knowing what's going to happen—the Titanic sinking or the play's premiere. Yet, they can't help but experience the electric buzz that comes just before going live. It was a tremendous challenge for the story, but the reward was well worth it.