Listen to the article
In a nearly empty AMC Empire Theater on 42nd Street, Amazon’s new documentary “Melania” made its theatrical debut with little fanfare in New York City. The $75 million production, which chronicles the 20 days leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration, arrives without the benefit of press screenings, forcing critics to purchase tickets alongside the general public.
Directed by Brett Ratner, whose Hollywood career was derailed in 2017 following multiple sexual assault allegations (which he has denied), the film represents something of a comeback for the filmmaker. This connection to the Trump orbit, where controversial figures often find redemption, feels particularly fitting given the documentary’s approach to its subject.
The 104-minute PG-rated film opens at Mar-a-Lago with a calculated reveal of its subject – first showing Melania Trump’s high heels, then the back of her head, before finally unveiling her face. She boards a Trump-branded private jet as the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” plays, one of several peculiar musical choices throughout the documentary that seem at odds with their lyrical content.
“Every day I live with purpose and devotion,” Melania narrates, the first of many inspirational-sounding phrases that permeate the film. The documentary dedicates considerable screen time to showing the former first lady consulting with costumers and designers about her wardrobe and inauguration décor at Trump Tower, whose opulent interiors are prominently featured.
The film attempts to balance these fashion-focused moments with weightier scenes, including a meeting with a former Hamas hostage seeking help to free her husband. Another segment shows Melania conferring with French first lady Brigitte Macron and Queen Rania of Jordan about forming an international coalition around her “Be Best” initiative, particularly focusing on the dangers of social media.
Donald Trump makes his entrance approximately halfway through the film. During a meeting about inauguration planning, he complains about a championship sports game scheduled for the same day, remarking, “They probably did it on purpose.” From this point forward, the documentary largely follows the televised events surrounding the inauguration, including an elaborate dinner attended by tech titans Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, and the inauguration itself.
The film takes deliberate care to include numerous shots of Melania and Donald behaving as a loving couple. “Nobody has endured what he has for the last few years,” she notes at one point, a statement that stands in stark contrast to much of the public discourse surrounding the former president.
Visually, the documentary features glossy production values and a lush musical score. Curiously, Ratner intersperses segments shot on what appears to be Super 8 film, seemingly attempting to evoke comparisons to Kennedy-era imagery and nostalgia.
Before concluding with on-screen graphics cataloging Melania’s achievements as first lady in glowing terms, the film shows her posing for her official portrait, projecting both authority and glamour – perhaps the most authentic moment in the entire production.
The documentary’s limited theatrical release strategy is notable, with Amazon apparently bypassing major markets like New York City for wider distribution. At the opening-day screening attended by the reviewer, only three other patrons were present, two of whom were also film critics.
For a production with a reported $75 million budget, “Melania” represents an unusual investment in political documentary filmmaking, particularly one with such an overtly flattering approach to its subject. Whether the film finds a broader audience remains to be seen, but its existence highlights the increasingly blurred lines between entertainment, politics, and corporate media investments in the current landscape.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
10 Comments
A $75 million production about the former First Lady’s 20 days leading up to the 2025 inauguration? That seems like a lot of money and attention for such a short period. I’m curious to see if the film offers any substantive analysis or just glosses over the controversies.
You raise a good point. With that kind of budget, the filmmakers will need to provide more than just a superficial look at Melania Trump’s life and activities.
While I’m always interested in learning more about political figures, I have concerns about the approach and execution of this documentary on Melania Trump. The director’s past controversies and the lack of press screenings suggest this may be more propaganda than objective analysis.
I share your concerns. A balanced and insightful portrayal of Melania Trump’s life and role would be valuable, but this film seems to have some potential red flags that merit close scrutiny.
It’s interesting that this documentary is being released without the benefit of press screenings. That suggests the filmmakers may be trying to control the narrative and avoid critical scrutiny. I’ll reserve judgment until I see how the final product portrays Melania Trump.
Good point. The lack of press screenings does raise some red flags and makes me wonder what the filmmakers are trying to avoid. We’ll have to see if the film can stand up to public scrutiny.
While I appreciate the attempt to shed light on Melania Trump’s life and role, the connection to the controversial director Brett Ratner raises some concerns about the objectivity and tone of the documentary. I hope it avoids sensationalism and political agendas.
Agreed. The film’s credibility will depend on whether it can provide a balanced and insightful portrait of Melania, without succumbing to biases or agendas.
This documentary about Melania Trump seems like a rather peculiar choice, especially given the director’s past controversies. I wonder what kind of perspective it will offer on her role in the Trump administration.
Yes, it will be interesting to see how the film portrays Melania and whether it provides any new insights into her public persona.