Review: Morgan Neville's Documentary 'Lorne' Fails to Reveal the Man Behind SNL
NPR critic Eric Deggans reviews Morgan Neville's new documentary, 'Lorne,' which explores the life and career of Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels. Despite featuring interviews with prominent comedians like Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Chris Rock, the film is criticized for being superficial and failing to provide deep insights into Michaels' personality. The review highlights that Michaels himself admits to being enigmatic, stating he does not even know himself, a sentiment echoed by colleagues who describe him as 'undocumentable.' While the documentary offers an enjoyable experience for casual fans with its collection of anecdotes and backstage footage, it lacks revelatory content for those familiar with SNL's history. Deggans argues that the film's broad scope dilutes its focus, resulting in a narrative that reinforces Michaels' public image as a protective, wise industry figure rather than challenging conventional wisdom or exposing his true character. Ultimately, the review concludes that while visually slick and genially assembled, the documentary misses the opportunity to truly dissect one of comedy's most powerful yet elusive figures.
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Review: Morgan Neville's Documentary 'Lorne' Fails to Reveal the Man Behind SNL
NPR critic Eric Deggans reviews Morgan Neville's new documentary, 'Lorne,' which explores the life and career of Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels. Despite featuring interviews with prominent comedians like Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Chris Rock, the film is criticized for being superficial and failing to provide deep insights into Michaels' personality. The review highlights that Michaels himself admits to being enigmatic, stating he does not even know himself, a sentiment echoed by colleagues who describe him as 'undocumentable.' While the documentary offers an enjoyable experience for casual fans with its collection of anecdotes and backstage footage, it lacks revelatory content for those familiar with SNL's history. Deggans argues that the film's broad scope dilutes its focus, resulting in a narrative that reinforces Michaels' public image as a protective, wise industry figure rather than challenging conventional wisdom or exposing his true character. Ultimately, the review concludes that while visually slick and genially assembled, the documentary misses the opportunity to truly dissect one of comedy's most powerful yet elusive figures.
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