‘Satisfied’ Review – A Rewarding Look At Renée Elise Goldsberry [Tribeca 2024]

Renée Elise Goldsberry is a once-in-a-lifetime talent, but it took a bit longer than it should have for the world at large to recognize that fact. In recent years, the multi-hyphenate performer has played roles from the deeply dramatic The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Waves to her transcendently hilarious appearance on Documentary Now! and her instant-classic series Girls5eva (if you aren’t watching, what are you doing with your life?). For years the performer put in the work on soap operas and bit parts on shows like The Good Wife while honing her craft on stage in lauded turns in such stalwarts as The Color Purple and Rent. It wasn’t until she originated the role of Angelica Schuyler in the cultural earthquake known as Hamilton that she finally got the full glow of the spotlight she always deserved. 

It is only fitting that a documentary about her life would focus primarily on this period of her ascension, as her life offstage was just as much of a rollercoaster. Satisfied from directors Melissa Haizlip and Chris Bolan plays comfortably within the documentary space that has emerged with a vengeance over the past decade, giving viewers a carefully manicured look at a subject they long to know more about. Even with universal themes of work-life balance, the transient nature of time, and never giving up on your dreams, this film is unlikely to provoke major emotional breakthroughs for anyone outside admirers of Renée or devoted theater fans in general. Nevertheless, if you do fit this criteria, you will likely find yourself full of love and tearing up on more than one occasion.

The best decision this film makes is to keep things intimate and personal to Renée. There are a handful of talking head interviews from famous coworkers like Ariana DeBose and Lin-Manuel Miranda for a bit of outside context, but, for the most part, we are experiencing things alongside the artist herself. In a stroke of luck, Renée began recording a video journal of her experiences around the time Hamilton came into her life. Through a mixture of this footage, archival materials, and modern-day commentary from Renée, we get a clearer picture of the challenges she faced and the emotional toll it took on her and her family. 

One of the first things we hear from Renée is her dual dream in life to be a mother and to be a singer. We know that the latter materialized, but those unfamiliar with the personal details of her life are taken on a journey that reveals the heartbreaking and joyous touchstones of her life. A bit of creative editing keeps this from being a strict chronology of events, which helps keep the material nimble as Renée frankly discusses her multiple miscarriages, pregnancies, and the adoption of her daughter. There are numerous stories of the pressures she put on herself as a working mother who missed out on some vital moments with her children. Even with this weight on her, Renée refreshingly admits there was never a moment when she didn’t want to be in the show. It is undoubtedly painful, yet is great to see a talented woman caring for herself enough to strive for both dreams. 

One of the most rewarding strands of the film is the relationship between Renée and her husband, Alexis. You get the surface-level overview of how they met one another, but what truly stands out is the love and respect they have for each other. Discussions about the difficulty of being in a relationship with an artist lead to an affecting moment when Alexis tearfully reflects on his admiration for his wife’s talent. The subtle moments of intimacy between one another are so playful and genuine that you cannot help but be moved. Renée may worry about how much responsibility is being put on Alexis while she is caught up in the Hamilton whirlwind, but it is never in doubt that her fulfillment means just as much to him as anything. 

And yes, Hamilton fans do get an incredible look into the process of making that show a reality from the first workshop to Renée’s final performance. Anyone who is a superfan has probably heard some of these stories elsewhere in television specials or interviews, but seeing the candid moments makes a big difference. You get to hear the titular song in various snippets throughout including footage of Renée studying a vocal demo from Lin-Manuel Miranda as she attempts to perfect the cadence of the rap. A glimpse at a cut song from the production is another amazing treat for those who have only experienced the cast recording of the show. Seeing this experience materialize through the perspective of Renée is vital, as you revel in the glamour of the moment and groan at the decidedly unglamorous realities of being a Broadway star. 

There are not many who can compare to Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Satisfied gives you some insight into why that is the case. With grace and an unyielding sense of humor, the star shows us her most vulnerable state and how she fuels herself to great heights. She has her imperfections just like everyone else, yet she never loses faith in herself or what she deserves out of life. She has always been an undeniable talent, the world just needed time to catch up with her. 

Satisfied held its World Premiere as a part of the Spotlight+ section of the 2024 Tribeca Festival.

Directors: Melissa Haizlip, Chris Bolan

Rated: NR

Runtime: 84m