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Jason Reitman's 'Saturday Night' Premieres at TIFF, Offers a Chaotic Tribute to SNL's Origins

The film captures the frenzied backstage moments leading up to the first episode of 'Saturday Night Live,' emphasizing Lorne Michaels' visionary yet tumultuous journey.

  • Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, 'Saturday Night' is directed by Jason Reitman and follows the chaotic 90 minutes before SNL's 1975 debut.
  • Gabriel LaBelle stars as a young Lorne Michaels, portraying his struggle to launch the now-iconic live sketch show amid numerous backstage challenges.
  • The film features a star-studded cast, including Rachel Sennott, Cooper Hoffman, and Cory Michael Smith, who bring life to the original SNL crew.
  • Critics note the film's manic energy and rapid pace, capturing the essence of the show's unpredictable and frenetic nature.
  • While lauded for its nostalgic tribute, some reviews highlight a lack of character depth and a tendency towards myth-making over historical accuracy.
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