Film Critique – Lorne (2026)

      **Lorne, 2026**

      Directed by Morgan Neville

      Featuring Lorne Michaels, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, Conan O’Brien, Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman, Steve Martin, Paul Simon, Kristen Wiig, Seth Meyers, Bill Hader, Michael Che, Kenan Thompson, Dana Carvey, and Jimmy Fallon.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      Lorne Michaels, the creator of Saturday Night Live (1975), provides extraordinary access to the individual responsible for building and maintaining the institution over five decades. Lorne Michaels (born Lorne Lipowitz) is a private person, making him challenging to document. Director Morgan Neville embraces this challenge and playfully recognizes in the film the obstacles he will navigate, such as Michaels’ reluctance to be filmed or mic'd even in professional settings, which include peculiar timings for meetings, writing sessions, dinners, and more. While we learn he has his own family, they do not appear in the film. Early on, there’s an amusing montage of various SNL cast members responding to simple questions about Lorne, with inconsistent answers that further highlight the mystery surrounding this comedy legend.

      With this context, Morgan Neville opts to capture whatever he can each day leading up to an episode of Saturday Night Live, interviewing both current and former cast members as well as close friends like Paul Simon, who remains his neighbor. The film includes glimpses of creative sessions with celebrity hosts such as Timothee Chalamet and Emma Stone, alongside the notorious mostly silent meetings where producers decide which sketches to cut, their sequence, and commercial break placements—all illustrated on a bulletin board with color-coded sticky notes.

      The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of Lorne Michaels by observing his unconventional daily routines (which involve going to bed at 4 AM and waking at noon) during the show's seasons, along with a fast-paced yet detailed look at the show's tumultuous history (notably including a five-year period when he was absent from it, appearing somewhat aimless amidst failing ideas), complete with clips featuring John Belushi, John Candy, Chris Farley, Chevy Chase, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and many others whose careers took off due to his influence.

      Instead of adopting a dry, serious tone throughout the numerous interviews (which are skillfully fused with archival footage from sketches and significant films, such as Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in Wayne’s World), these discussions often reveal insights through humor. The actors' lack of knowledge about him, Wikipedia’s inaccuracies (which may have been amended), and Conan O’Brien's whimsical voiceover impersonations adding animated elements for added context stand out, all featuring a humorous villain depicted as the NBC Peacock, often representing the executives.

      Significantly, despite facing dark times, something new and popular always emerges with a fresh cast. Lorne Michaels appears adaptable to the changing times, welcoming celebrity guests and musical talents regardless of his understanding of their cultural relevance. He's noted for embracing controversy and inviting guests from diverse backgrounds, even those with opposing political views. It’s acknowledged that while the comedy isn't excessively crude, there are sporadic shocking moments and discussions with censors. The creativity of cast members seems to be encouraged, as everyone expresses admiration for his character both personally and professionally, despite the difficulties in truly grasping either aspect.

      However, this portrayal sometimes resembles a favorable piece about him, overlooking some of his less pleasant stories and behaviors. The film serves more as a retrospective of Saturday Night Live than a deep biography of Michaels himself. Morgan Neville approaches the subject closely, gaining more access over time, including a visit to his Maine home and gardens, where he escapes the chaos of New York City during the off-season. Ultimately, it’s another insightful documentary by the filmmaker that cleverly explores a subject appropriate to their public persona; it offers humor, a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of the sketch comedy program, and valuable insights into Lorne Michaels from a professional perspective.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★**

      Robert Kojder