I love Billy Chrystal's movies, usually, and even the lesser ones make me smile. This movie is no exception but I really think it could have been better than what was presented here. Billy plays Buddy Young Jr, a long time comedic veteran who despite numerous close calls, never achieved stardom. He is accompanied through life through his weather beaten but devoted brother Stan, that acts as his manager. Its clear from the beginning that Buddy is self absorbed about himself and making it to the top. The two bicker and banter back and forth as stan wants to retire and Buddy wants to keep going. This is the best part of Mr. Saturday Night. The relationship between the two brothers. David Paymer is very convincing and extremely well cast as Stan. Frankly, when the two are together the movie is at its best but when Buddy is alone with others trying to salvage his career its a definite let down. Not that some of the scenes are not funny in there on right, but the movie needs the two brothers more. I think if they had centered the entire movie on just the two of them this would get a much Higher rating from me. Maybe if the whole movie had centered on the scene at the restaurant with Chrystal and Paymer reminiscing about the past ups and downs and near successes, it would have been more cohesive. Like remember when they talk about Buddy's blowing his chance on the Ed Sullivan show all those years ago and a fuming Buddy says "Look who you put me on after!". That "after" being the Beatles! LOL! If they had made the whole movie that way, well who knows.
Review of Mr. Saturday Night
