The prestigious New York Film Festival 63 recently wrapped things up while simultaneously launching the greatly anticipated awards season. Given its opening at the end of September (9/26- 10/13), combined with its limited and highly curated roster, the NYFF can often seem like the “greatest hits’ of the European festival line up. For those of us reviewers and cinephiles who don’t get to make the European festival circuit, that’s not such a bad thing, especially given NYFF also manages to sprinkle in a few world premier films as well.

A House of Dynamite (Paula’s Pick)- If you liked “Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty”, you won’t be disappointed with this latest film by Kathryn Bigelow. “A House of Dynamite” explores the military and political protocols launched when a foreign missile is detected and targeted for the United States, specifically Chicago. It is filmed from the point of view of three different agencies and/or people and in three segments, and headed up by a fantastic cast, including Rebecca Ferguson (“Silo” and “Dune”), Idris Elba and Tracy Letts. Time is of the essence, with only minutes available for the agencies/representatives, including the president, played by Idris Elba, to make life and death decisions. A response to a global catastrophic event is in the hands of a select few, most importantly the president.

“A House of Dynamite” is shot in the raw and kinetic style that Bigelow is known for, making audiences feeling as close to the mounting tension as possible. It is a political/military thriller that will have audiences on the edge of their seats from the first frame to the last… and more than likely shouting at the screen when all is said and done. The pervasive feelings are intrigue and fear, once hit with the awareness that this is a plausible scenario.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Writer: Noah Oppenheim
Stars: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Tracy Letts
Country: United States
Language: English
Production companies: First Light, Netflix
MPAA rating: R
Runtime: 1h 52m

After the Hunt- from Luca Guadagnino, the prolific director who brought us masterpiece award winning films (“Call Me By Your Name” and “I am Love”) - is a provocative drama featuring a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Chloe Sevigny and Michael Stuhlbarg. Roberts portrays Alma Olson, a confident, ambitious Yale University philosophy professor whose comfortable, yet questionable personal life, and prestigious academic world are shaken to the core after her protege, Maggie (Edebiri) accuses Olson’s colleague and friend/sometime lover, Hank (Garfield) of sexual assault. The film centers on each character’s personal issues and histories and their responses, while navigating complex contemporary issues. Although in general it is commendable to explore multiple social issues, it became a bit problematic with the intersectionality of race and privilege.

“After the Hunt” is an example of an over-hyped film that under delivers. For the most part, the performances are searing and compelling, especially Ms. Roberts whose Alma   although pinned up and cold, is layered and somewhat interesting. The movie’s downfall has less to do with performances and off-putting nature of each character, than writing and editing. It is the actual script by first time screen writer, and Guadagnino, which is over-written, over ambitious and the film is under edited. “After the Hunt” is a two hour movie that feels more like three.

Director: Luca Guadagnino
Writer: Nora Garrett
Stars: Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield
Country: United States
Language: English
Production companies: Big Indie Pictures, Imagine Entertainment
MPAA rating: R
Runtime: 2h 19m

Getting selected as a key cast member of the original production of the musical “Hamilton” would be hitting the jackpot for any actor, but for Renée Elise Goldsberry the opportunity ushered in a roller coaster of issues and emotions. These contradictions are at the center of the new documentary movie, “Satisfied.” One might interpret the movie’s title as Goldsberry either being satisfied with her seemingly charmed life and theatrical success, or that she’s striving to get to a point of satisfaction while navigating through her career and life path. The actuality of its meaning is somewhere in between. The film has the feel of, as Goldsberry describes her rare social media videos, journaling on camera or a memoir. It’s not a bio-pic, although we are given some perspective of her childhood. It’s an intimate glimpse into a profound moment in time for the Tony Award-winning actress.

“Here are some of my battles, lost and won,” Goldsberry reflects. With that she ushers the audience into her life at a pivotal crossroad.

“Satisfied” opens with the star’s admission that since childhood she always had two dreams: “To be a mother and to have a successful film and theater career.” Later she acknowledges that maybe it was naive of her to think she could obtain both easily. Not long after she gave birth to her son, Benjamin, she and her husband, Alexis Johnson tried for a second child. It was something they very much wanted for each other, and for Benjamin. After years of trying with no success they decided to adopt a child, and even that process was long and exasperating. But in the winter of 2014, before “Hamilton” the musical was known about and just before its Public Theater acquisition, the couple met Hagaria Alexis Johnson who they adopted from Ethiopia. All of them were ecstatic about the addition to their family, and Goldsberry was content to lighten her work load to focus on being a mother of two, with all its adjustments. But the acting gods had other plans.

Not long after introducing their baby girl her new world, Goldsberry received a call to audition for a workshop of a new show by Lin Manuel Miranda. She initially turned down the opportunity- several times- because she believed to take time away from her family was not worth it for a workshop, especially given the slim odds of being selected to go with it for the actual production. Between much prodding from her manager and hearing the play’s demo tape, Goldsberry realized this was something special, an opportunity of a lifetime. With her husband’s support, she dove into the “Hamilton” workshop as the eldest Skylar sister. Not only did she go on to be picked for the Public Theater’s production of the show, but Miranda would also include Goldsberry to reprise the role on Broadway. All of which was a great honor, a lot of work while also big fun. It would eventually lead her to a Tony Award, and other subsequent big life changes and decisions. Along the way though, “Hamilton” proved to be all consuming, and at that time, she was the only mother in the cast. She credits her husband with wholly supporting her decision and picking up the slack at home with their children, but she was conflicted. On one hand she was undeniably and understandably thrilled with this monumental career opportunity, but on the other hand she was experiencing regret and depression over being what she felt was an absentee mother.

It is this conflict that drives the story of “Satisfied.” The viewers’ the story’s real-life heroine battling exhaustion and expectations as she navigates motherhood and her groundbreaking role in one of the most successful (if not the most) productions in the history of Broadway. Throughout we are given rare behind-the-scenes access to the show’s process and progress, along with insights from cast members, including Miranda.

When not getting snippets of the musical, and although the main character, so to speak, is projecting anxiety, there is a welcome quietness to the documentary, with its first-person contemplative accounts. It is small and intimate, yet not boring. In today’s movie landscape mostly littered with noisy or intense offerings vying for attention on numerous streaming platforms, documentaries are definitely getting the short end of the stick. Even at that, most have to be political or social issues themed to be noticed, or get made. “Satisfied” is a welcome departure, both life affirming and inspiring- we can make those big life decisions and be better off on the other side of personal conflict. I’m going to say it, “Satisfied” is a satisfying watch.

Directed by: Chris Bolan, Melissa Haizlip
Stars: Renée Elise Goldsberry, Alexis Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, Brielle Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Lin-Manuel Miranda
Country: United States
Language: English
Production company: Stick-Figure Productions, Amblin Documentaries
MPAA rating: ?
Runtime: 1h 24m