Now in its 50th season, “Saturday Night Live” continues to thrive – a sketch show that has managed to capture the pulse of the nation in the moment while providing a launching pad for plenty of comedians.

Its historical impact on television and comedy is hard to argue, but how close was the show to irrelevance in its early years?

That is examined to an extent in the new film “Saturday Night” with writer/director Jason Reitman, working with longtime collaborator Gil Kenan, who serves as a co-writer, recreating the moments leading up to the first-ever episode. The result is a chaotic scramble that is both enthralling and entertaining, a time capsule that is full of nostalgia for fans of the series.

Aided by a strong cast that is up to the challenge, this is a near-perfect love letter to a show that has become such a mainstay in many homes.

“Saturday Night” takes the audience to that fateful first night – Oct. 11, 1975 – focusing on the 90 minutes leading up to the inaugural episode. The show’s creator Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) is desperately trying to bring all the pieces together even as it all feels like disaster is inevitable.

The crew is on the verge of mutiny, one of the unknown cast members John Belushi (Matt Wood in one of the film’s best performances) still hasn’t signed his contract, Michael’s boss Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman) is becoming more and more concerned with what the show is exactly about, with one of NBC’s top executives Dick Tebet (Willem Dafoe) lingering in the background ready to pull the plug.

Reitman stages this in real time, documenting the 90 minutes before the show went on air. It’s a decision that creates a manic atmosphere that is full of laughs and some compelling moments. It’s fun to see Michaels try to balance all the egos – even his own – as things continue to crumble around him.

While Michaels and his relationship with one of the show’s writers Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), who at the time was his wife, is the main focus of “Saturday Night” the film also gives us a chance to revisit the iconic original cast – recreated with some mostly effective performances.

In addition to Wood, the highlights include Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, Corey Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris (no relation) and Nicholas Braun in a dual role playing both Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson.

There is also a wonderful cameo from J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle, who provides perhaps the best – certainly the funniest – moment in the film.

The way Reitman embraces the chaos in such a straight forward manner may not work for everyone – especially those who are looking for something a little more insightful – but I found it to be the perfect way to capture this historic moment. We all know it comes together, but “Saturday Night” is so well-made that there is still comedic suspense throughout as the audience watches it unfold.

“Saturday Night” is a must for fans of the iconic series, but ultimately it is still good enough to hold the interest of those who couldn’t tell the difference between the Church Lady and the Target Lady.

If You Go
Starring: Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Rating: R for language throughout, sexual references, some drug use and some brief graphic nudity
Playing at: Bowling Green Stadium 12
Grade: B