The Best Recent Films of ‘Saturday Night Live’ Vets

Lorne Michaels knew what he was doing when he assembled the first cast of SNL performers, their show revolutionized comedy and live television. Incredible artists like Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase and Jane Curtin set the stage for the future of comedy. Michaels has continued to churn out new and talented performers like Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Amy Poehler, the list can go on for pages. Many SNL performers went on to have incredible careers in different stages of entertainment, television and film included. Although the list of great films from former SNL members is plentiful, some of the recent filmic work of SNL alumni stands out the best for me. Here are my top five picks for the best films of SNL vets! Let me know some of your favorites!

[tps_header]Nebraska[/tps_header]

The Alexander Payne directed film tells the story of an aging man who takes the journey from Montana to Nebraska to claim a million dollar prize he “claims” to have won, with his estranged son. Aside from the quiet aesthetics the film creates and the beautiful white and black photography, Nebraska is filled with great performances. Bruce Dern, June Sqiubb and Bob Odenkirk are just a few of the memorable actors. What is truly amazing about Will Forte’s performance as David Grant, frustrated son, is how he is able to give such a compelling honesty to his character. A performer known for outlandish characters on SNL and shows like 30 Rock, Forte combines both drama and comedy with a rarity not often seen. Seeing such a different facet of Forte’s skills as an actor is what makes this one of my favorite films of an SNL vet.

[tps_header]Bridesmaids[/tps_header]

What can be said about this movie that isn’t already obvious? Bridesmaids was one of the most successful films of recent SNL alumni, Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph. Bridesmaids is the story of a failed bakery owner and the disaster that ensues when she attempts to plan her best friend’s pre-wedding festivities. Filled with physical comedy and a group of eccentric characters, what is there not to love about this film? The female led cast gives some of the best comedic performances I’ve seen; Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne and Melissa McCarthy show us their badass comedy chops and teach us how empowering female friendships can be.

[tps_header]Mean Girls[/tps_header]

Of course there couldn’t have been a Bridesmaids without Mean Girls. This Tina Fey written comedy was probably one of the greatest high school comedies of its decade. The witty banter and outrageous scenes shine a light on the too often troubling territory that high school girls face. Although SNL vets (Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer and Tim Meadows) take a back seat to the young talent, their performances are still noteworthy. Poehler plays one of the most ridiculous characters in the movie, but that is what makes her so funny. Fey balances Poehler’s crazy as the plain Jane of the movie, that teaches the girls how putting each other down only gives others permission to do the same, while still creating some of the most memorable lines a high school comedy has seen.

[tps_header]Obvious Child[/tps_header]

Jenny Slate can’t really be considered an SNL vet; she is probably most remembered for being the cast member that let the “F” word slip on national broadcast television, on her very first show. Slate went on to create better material through other mediums, film being one of them. Obvious Child centers on Donna Stern, a comedian struggling both personally and professionally. A drunken one-night stand leaves Donna with an unwanted pregnancy and a difficult decision that makes her address all the failings in her life. The film does an incredible job of approaching the often-controversial topic of abortion with more humanity than most people do. Slate inspires both tears and laughs in her portrayal of how messy our lives can get. This subversive rom-com definitely explores a unique aspect of love and life.

[tps_header]The Skeleton Twins[/tps_header]

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t being a bit biased in this last choice. Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader are probably two of my favorite performers to come out of Saturday Night Live. The evidence of their talent in the multitude of memorable characters they portrayed every Saturday night. The years of performing together created a bond like no other and that is apparent in their first film together. The indie darling, The Skeleton Twins, sees twins find each other after a decade of estrangement. Both devastating and hilarious, Hader and Wiig bring such rawness to these characters that realize that fixing their relationship might be a step in the right direction to fixing everything that went wrong in their lives. The brother, sister bond is real and demonstrated in the great chemistry Hader and Wiig have. The heart of the movie is when they are together and the way they play off each others’ performances create some of the greatest scenes in the film.

Advertisement