‘Saturday Night’ is a Best Picture Worthy Contender at Telluride

Live from Telluride, Sony Pictures’ biographical dramedy “Saturday Night” has officially entered the Oscar race thanks to its superb ensemble, sizzling script, and expert craftsmanship. The film drew significant attention at the festival, where nearly 300 people were turned away, and the first attendees arrived as early as 2:30 p.m. for the 7:15 p.m. screening. Jason Reitman’s crowd-pleasing romp is now positioned as a strong contender across several Oscar categories, including best picture.

Directed by Reitman, who introduced the film along with former “SNL” cast member Bill Murray, it’s set in 1975 and chronicles the 90 minutes leading up to the premiere of NBC’s long-running sketch show, “Saturday Night Live.”

With a cast of more than 20 actors who deliver outstanding performances in their respective roles, “Saturday Night” is in the running for one of the five slots for the best-cast ensemble at the SAG Awards. If nominated, it could break the record for the most actors recognized in this category, surpassing eventual winner “Gosford Park,” which had 21 actors in its ensemble.

Read: You can see all Academy Award predictions in all 23 categories on one page on the Variety Awards Circuit: Oscars.

However, the awards campaign and PR teams face will face the daunting task of rallying the Actors Branch to select any one of the actors for their respective lineups.

Gabriel LaBelle, who broke out as the young Steven Spielberg in the 2022 drama “The Fabelmans,” is electric as legendary producer and “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels. He’s arguably the film’s lead, as the camera and drama often follow Michaels from floor to floor, as he deals with unhinged cast members and disgruntled craftspeople. But he may have a stronger chance in supporting, as the lead actor category favors older, more established actors.

It’s hard to single out one standout performance. Aside from LaBelle, Tommy Dewey’s deadpan and hilarious portrayal of “SNL” writer and performer Michael O’Donoghue and LaMorne Morris’ charismatic and musical Garrett Morris are noteworthy. Cooper Hoffman’s turn as young NBC executive Dick Ebersol and Matt Wood’s uncanny portrayal of John Belushi is also affecting.

Additionally, Cory Michael Smith’s sarcastic and ego-driven Chevy Chase garnered plenty of laughs, while Dylan O’Brien’s short-shorts-wearing Dan Aykroyd provided several memorable moments. Veterans Willem Dafoe as network executive David Tebet, and J.K. Simmons as comedian Milton Berle (who delivers a jaw-dropping scene), could attract attention from Academy members. Murray may have attended the premiere, but he didn’t join the cast until its second season.

The women of “Saturday Night” aren’t given as much to work with as one might hope. Rachel Sennott’s fiery turn as Michaels’ secret wife, Rosie Shuster, stands out, but her role feels one scene short of serious consideration.

In recent years, crowd-pleasing, audience-friendly titles have found their way onto Oscar’s radar, with films such as “The Holdovers” (2023), “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022), and “Jojo Rabbit” (2019) making a mark. Reitman and co-writer Gil Kenan have crafted a flick that will appeal to more senior AMPAS voters who love reminiscing about the good old days. With crackling dialogue reminiscent of awards darlings “Birdman” (2014) and “The Social Network” (2010), an Oscar battle in original screenplay for “Saturday Night” seems likely. That’s shaping up to be a pitched battle, with other well-received films such as “Anora” and “Emilia Perez” seen as contenders for their screenplays.

Reitman, a two-time directing nominee for “Juno” and “Up in the Air,” could be back in the lineup, depending on how critics and audiences receive the film. It could help his case if “Saturday Night” has strong commercial potential.

Eric Steelberg’s striking cinematography is among his best work, while editors Nathan Orloff and Shane Reid maintain a frenetic, adrenaline-inducing pace. Oscar-winning composer Jon Batiste, who also stars in the film as musical guest Billy Preston, will likely be in the hunt for original score, given that he played live on set while the actors were filming. The sound team, which includes four-time Oscar-nominated sound mixer, Steven Morrow, could also get recognized.

“Saturday Night” packs much into its 103-minute runtime, but it’s immensely satisfying, especially for fans of the show. Even if you’ve never seen an episode or stopped watching several seasons ago, Reitman and his actors provide a window into the lives of a group of artists who left an indelible mark on television and changed comedy.