The Saturday Night Live movie of 2024 might not have struck box office gold or achieved unanimous critical acclaim, but let me say it outright: this is a modern classic, a film destined for reevaluation in the years to come. Its poor reception? A mere footnote in the long history of misunderstood art.
Yes, some, like Nathan Rabin at the AV Club, may dismiss it as another misguided attempt to stretch a beloved sketch format into feature length. But those criticisms miss the forest for the trees. This movie isn’t about punchlines or fleeting comedy—it’s about the unrelenting absurdity of life itself, wrapped in the anarchic, freewheeling ethos that SNL has embodied for decades.
The film dares to be ambitious. Its fragmented narrative structure, often compared to Robert Altman’s Nashville or even the Coen Brothers at their most surreal, captures the disjointed, kaleidoscopic reality of our times. The script, filled with moments of biting satire and profound melancholy, feels less like a "comedy" in the traditional sense and more like a sly critique of how we consume media and culture.
Performances across the board are stellar. Breakout moments from the SNL ensemble prove that they’re not just sketch artists—they’re actors capable of layering pathos and vulnerability beneath the laughs. One monologue in particular, delivered by a cast member known for broad comedy, is so raw and achingly human that it’s impossible not to be moved.
Let’s not forget the film’s audacious direction. The surreal visuals, avant-garde editing choices, and a soundtrack that weaves between bombastic and hauntingly minimalist underscore its status as a bold artistic statement.
It’s easy to see why some critics might have been quick to dismiss it. The film defies easy categorization, and its refusal to cater to conventional expectations was bound to alienate certain audiences. But isn’t that the mark of all great art? Like The Big Lebowski, Death to Smoochy, or Southland Tales, the 2024 SNL movie demands patience, reflection, and multiple viewings to fully appreciate its brilliance.
Mark my words: history will vindicate this misunderstood gem. Call it art, call it audacity, call it ahead of its time—whatever you call it, the SNL movie is a testament to creative risk-taking in an industry increasingly averse to it. It’s a classic, and the sooner we recognize that, the better.
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