Key Takeaways:
– Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” experienced a mind-boggling debut, making it the second-best limited opening of 2021.
– Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film is well-received by audiences, keeping its Oscar prospects alive.
– The film relives the 90 minutes leading to the first-ever Saturday Night Live episode.
– “Saturday Night” boasts a star-studded cast, including Cooper Hoffman, Gabriel LaBelle, and Willem Dafoe.
A New Star in the Film Sky: “Saturday Night”
Hey there, movie buffs! Get ready to dive into the exciting world of Jason Reitman’s latest film, “Saturday Night”. This powerhouse made quite a splash in its limited debut. With only five theaters screening the film, the opening weekend raked in a whopping $265K. That’s an impressive $53K per theater, placing it right beside June’s “Kinds Of Kindness” for the best per-theater-average of the year.
Oscar Hopes Still Alive
Despite receiving mixed critical responses (scoring 61 on Metacritic), audiences at the Telluride and Toronto International Film Festival gave “Saturday Night” two thumbs up. Many film pundits still rank Reitman’s film in their top 10 for the year. Given the fairly weak year overall for films, “Saturday Night” could find its way to a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars. We’ll just have to wait and see.
A Timeless Tale of Comedy: “Saturday Night”
“Saturday Night” takes us back in time, specifically 90 minutes before the first-ever Saturday Night Live episode hit the airwaves on October 11, 1975. Reitman’s film paints a lively picture of the young comedians and writers who passionately worked to lift off this skit-based show.
Our journey is made even more enjoyable thanks to the stellar cast which includes Cooper Hoffman, Gabriel LaBelle, Nicholas Braun, Willem Dafoe, and JK Simmons among others. Their performances imbue the film with energy, keeping us on our toes and our eyes glued to the screen.
The Wit and Humor of “Saturday Night”
“Saturday Night” could give stand-up routines a run for their money. The clever dialogues and humorous one-liners keep coming at a fast and furious pace. While the film may not delve into complexities, it’s an undeniably entertaining watch to kick back and enjoy.
Much like Inarritu’s “Birdman”, Reitman’s “Saturday Night” employs long takes that build a continuously comic tension, giving us a laugh-out-loud glimpse into the comedy industry.
Wrap Up
So, in a nutshell, if you’re a fan of comedy or if you’re intrigued by the magic that went into launching the Saturday Night Live show, then “Saturday Night” is worth checking out. Despite a mixed critical response, this Reitman film, blooming with energetic performances and aggressive humor, might just end up in the nominees list for the best picture at the Oscars.
As the year ends, remember to keep your popcorn buckets ready. With films like “Saturday Night”, the race to the Oscars sure does look entertaining!
