In a striking portrayal by Cory Michael Smith, Chevy Chase recently expressed his candid opinions about Jason Reitman’s film, Saturday Night. His remarks have sparked discussions, highlighting the complexity of the relationship between the iconic comedian and the director.

Live from New York, the spotlight is on the critical responses to Saturday Night! Overall, the reviews for Jason Reitman’s portrayal of the intense moments leading up to the premiere of Saturday Night Live have been largely favorable, with our critic Chris Bumbray awarding it an impressive 8/10. However, one notable dissenting voice in the original SNL cast is Chevy Chase, whose dissatisfaction with the film is not particularly surprising given his well-documented personality and legacy in comedy.

During a recent episode of Dana Carvey and David Spade’s Fly on the Wall podcast, Jason Reitman shared an interesting anecdote about Chevy Chase’s reaction to the film. He recounted an interaction where, after watching the movie with his wife Jayni, Chase approached Reitman and delivered a blunt critique, stating, “Well, you should be embarrassed.” This exchange highlights Chase’s bluntness and sets the tone for the director’s reflections on the experience.

Reitman elaborated on this moment during his appearance on Ben Mankiewicz’s Talking Pictures podcast, revealing that his long-standing acquaintance with Chase made the comment sting even more. The fact that Reitman is sharing this story publicly suggests he may still be processing the impact of Chase’s words. Furthermore, there is a sense of protectiveness for Cory Michael Smith, who has received praise for his portrayal of Chase in Saturday Night, perhaps shielding him from the brunt of Chase’s criticism.

Reitman expressed his mixed feelings about the criticism, saying, “I’m trying to balance it, because, in my head, I know, ‘Alright, I’m getting my own Chevy Chase moment that’s 1,000 percent only for me right now.’” He added that while he aimed to honor Chase’s legacy through the film, he felt that his efforts to portray the comedian’s humanity and vulnerabilities were not acknowledged, leaving him frustrated with the response.

In contrast to Chevy Chase’s critical stance, other original cast members like Dan Aykroyd, portrayed by Dylan O’Brien, and Laraine Newman, played by Emily Fairn, have offered much more positive feedback about Saturday Night. Aykroyd described the film as “engaging” and “funny,” while Newman referred to it as “entertaining,” showcasing a more supportive sentiment from the original cast regarding Reitman’s work.

What are your thoughts on Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night? We invite you to share your thoughts and mini-reviews below!