I tried reaching out to a few well-placed fellows who could have theoretically shared what they knew about reactions to Jason Reitman‘s SNL 1975, which Sony will be releasing in October and which may — I say “may” — turn up in Telluride or Toronto in a few weeks’ time.

I didn’t get much help. A top-of-the-hill Sony honcho said he couldn’t “get into this stuff” but that the film is “indeed terrific.” The perpetually sullen Kris Tapley, whom I don’t personally like but who has a relationship with Reitman that goes way back, responded like an unplugged vacuum cleaner. Okay, a couple guys wrote back but only to say they hadn’t heard a thing.

I was excited by a research-screening reaction, you see, that World of Reel‘s Jordan Ruimy posted this morning. SNL 1975 has ben research-screened three times within the last month, I’ve been told. “Some rave reactions coming from yesterday’s test screening of SNL 1975,” Ruimy informed. “Possible Best Picture contender. Major comeback for Reitman.”

Hot response: “Fantastic. Big response from audience. Very Birdman/Lubezki-esque in its execution with the long takes and seamless transitions. Also shot on gorgeous 16mm, incredibly gritty and reminiscent of the period.

“Gabriel LaBelle (Lorne Michaels) was best in show for me, but it’s also hard to fully pinpoint a bonafide standout within the ensemble because it’s all over the place with the way it’s constantly moving and bouncing around to different characters (not a bad thing though, I thought it kept things fresh and avoided lingering/losing momentum). Nicholas Braun is also a scene stealer as Jim Henson, as is Cory Michael Smith, who plays Chevy Chase.”