“Live from New York its…” We all know how the rest of that famous line goes, but with James Franco’s new film, Saturday Night, we now know a little more of what happens after that line is spoken.

In this behind-the-scenes documentary Franco explores the ins and outs of how a single episode is created on the iconic show “Saturday Night Live”. What initially started as a 5 minute interview thesis project with one of its cast members, Bill Hader, was soon after (with an invitation from the show’s creator, Lorne Michaels) turned into something entirely new. From that short interview Franco had started for his graduate program at NYU, Michaels saw more potential and, for the first time ever, gave a documentary crew complete access to what goes on behind the curtains at SNL.

Started in 1975, both a lot and a little is known on how SNL is actually ran from start to finish. We’ve had glimpses of the production of it all, we’ve seen the anniversary specials, and listened to past cast members reminisce, but never have we seen what goes into the writing process and how they put the whole thing together in just one week. Not until now, that is. The film does a good job documenting the hastiness that is SNL, from the very first pitch meeting at the beginning of the week all the way until the curtain comes up and announcer Don Pardo begins to speak. With perspectives ranging from seasoned writers to brand new cast members, we are truly given an authentic look into the hard work that goes into such an elaborate production.

Saturday Night documents the December 6th, 2008 episode hosted by John Malkovich, with T.I. as the musical guest. The episode made for a good one to document, as Malkovich  is a very talented actor and seems pretty much up for anything. It’s interesting to see some of the more unconventional skits make it to the end, while some of the skits that did well in test readings get cut last minute, for various reasons. 

When I watched this film, I became so involved with these actors, and writers, and their incredibly extensive process that it felt almost as if I was in the live audience myself. I actually had the chance to visit the studio a couple years ago and was hoping I could see a little of  what went on when the cameras cut, but was saddened when I learned that the best seat in the house, is actually the one from your own living room. The way the stage is set up and positioned makes it so that audience rarely gets to see both what is filmed and what is not.

With a film like this on the other hand, we are brought into this hidden world of sleepless days and an almost thankless job. We see how and where these pioneers of comedy, both past and present, learn to hone their craft while also learning how to deal with rejection. Through this film we understand this struggle and begin to relate to the joy of what it must feel like to get it right, to make a joke, or skit, work and hear the people laugh.

The film is pretty much shot all hand-held and often cuts to grainy black and white. It gives it a natural feel and with Franco having hosted with this particular cast before, it feels even more organic. For a project that was practically dropped on his lap, I do believe Mr. Franco did a fine job at giving us an inside look into a world always presented from the outside. I truly hope people will see this film, or at the very least, that Franco got an “A” on his thesis, I think it would be well-deserved.

There are no official release dates for Saturday Night as of yet,

but you can check out the IMDB page for further updates.

Watch the hilarious “Calculator” sketch below, which is featured in the documentary, Saturday Night.

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“CYRUS“. A simple title that describes a film which offers a whole lot more than expected. Also, a film that presents an important step for it’s directors Jay and Mark Duplass, as well as it’s lead actor, Jonah Hill.

The Duplass brothers have been known for being at the forefront of the now defunct “Mumblecore” movement, as well as positive figures in the independent cinema world. The two brothers went to film school in Texas and have now returned to SXSW to premiere their latest, and most expensive film, Cyrus. They have shown their films at SXSW before, but this is the first time they’ve had major stars in their film and studio backing. Some might wonder if this is the start of something bigger and better for these two hometown heroes while others might see it as the beginning of the end. Fortunately, I can safely say that after screening this film, it’s definitely not the latter.

The same can be said for it’s star, Jonah Hill, who takes a surprising turn in this tale of longing and regret. It revolves around it’s titular character Cyrus (Hill) and his struggle to deal with his mom’s new boyfriend played by John C. Reilly. Now while the screen is shared greatly by Reilly, being a seasoned actor this is a return to form for him, but holds something entirely different for Hill.

The film still conveys the beautifully simplistic and often poignant touch of the Duplass brothers even though they’re working with a bigger budget here, and an all-star cast. Each actor in this film completely and utterly gives themselves to represent  a common thread of what it truly means to let go. Thrust in the center of this theme is our character Cyrus.

Hill steps into this role with complete ease and comfort, and by doing so lets the audience feel something we can both laugh at and, at the same time, relate to. I myself found the dialogue to be both engaging and subtle with just the right touch of intensity. While that may sound like a bad mixture, it’s that type of contrast that truly makes this film so interesting.

The film itself never lets us become sure of what will happen, for right when we feel we know something will happen, it usually doesn’t and then right when we feel as if we have a grasp on what these characters won’t do, they once again surprise us. It’s almost as if this film wants us to presume we can be comfortable with an awkward subject and then without warning will turn the whole situation on it’s head.

This is a film that I really hope won’t be overlooked this year. After the screening, Mark Duplass had this to say, “We didn’t know people would hold such interest in the problems of the middle class until we made a film about it”. The film is a comedy, but it’s also pretty true to life, and has some dramatic and heartfelt moments. Cyrus won’t leave you feeling a heavy sense of reflection, but it will leave with you with a great big smile, and concerning what this film could have given us instead, I don’t think you could ask for more.

watch the trailer for “Cyrus” by clicking here

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