Saturday Night: The most ‘film’ of the year

As I entered the Press Screening, a TIFF Volunteer struck up a conversation with me - she lobbied to work this shift, to work this very screening, and would stand through the entire thing, just to see the film. There were murmurs on the street that it would be People’s Choice, which I would soon find out is a major indicator for Oscar success.

She was not disappointed.

Saturday Night manages to avoid being stressful and frustrating by being quick, smart, funny, packed full of action and conflict, catharsis and movement. It pulls off having unfamiliar actors play familiar faces, simply because the actors are turning in some of the best performances of their careers.

There are a million things going on at once, and yet you’re never lost. The music by Jon Batiste was done as a live recording, and it shows. Nothing overstays its welcome, everyone hits their mark, and the real-time concept of those 90 minutes will give you a newfound respect for Lorne Michaels.

This one is for the SNL fans — the people who love the show because, in spite of, and sometimes turning a blind eye to, its flaws. It’s easy to forget that there was a time before Saturday Night Live — too many generations have grown up with it, it seems so unstoppable. But this is the film that reminds you that this juggernaut is also a miracle.

Long Live Lorne Michaels.