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In a striking departure from Hollywood convention, former director Brett Ratner returns to filmmaking with “Melania,” a documentary following the current First Lady during the twenty days leading to President Trump’s second inauguration. The result, however, plays less like a serious documentary and more like an unintentional parody.
Throughout the nearly two-hour film, viewers are guided by Melania Trump’s voiceover as she navigates mundane decisions: fabric selection for a coat, dress length adjustments, dinner planning, and furniture shopping for her son Barron’s bedroom. “My creative vision is always clear,” she repeatedly asserts, a mantra that echoes through the documentary with little substantive context.
The film opens with sweeping shots of Mar-a-Lago’s opulent interiors, accompanied by the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” – an oddly discordant choice given the song’s dark lyrics about violence and chaos. This jarring juxtaposition sets the tone for what follows.
Ratner, who previously directed the action-packed “Rush Hour” franchise before sexual assault allegations sidelined his Hollywood career (allegations he has denied), delivers a surprisingly stagnant viewing experience. The camera lingers excessively on Trump-branded luxury, following Melania through Trump Tower, private jets, motorcades, and formal dinners before eventually arriving at the White House. The visual language emphasizes gilded excess without critical framing or deeper exploration.
Melania herself remains enigmatic throughout, her expressions carefully controlled and neutral. The rare moments of genuine emotion appear when she sings along to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” (identified as her favorite song) and while dancing to the Village People’s “YMCA” at an inaugural event. Though she references her mother’s death with apparent sadness and is shown lighting candles at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, her demeanor remains largely unchanged.
Conspicuously absent is any substantive background on Melania herself. The documentary bypasses opportunities to explore her Slovenian childhood, modeling career, or the journey that led to her position as First Lady. This omission leaves viewers without crucial context for understanding the subject at the center of the film.
Perhaps most glaring is the complete absence of any reference to the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection – a pivotal moment in American political history that preceded Trump’s second inauguration. Instead, the Capitol building is presented solely as the backdrop for Trump’s return to power, transformed into a symbol of his political dominance without acknowledging the controversial circumstances surrounding his re-election.
The documentary’s propagandistic approach lacks the technical sophistication of classic political filmmaking. Unlike Leni Riefenstahl’s technically impressive (though morally problematic) work for the Nazi regime, Ratner’s film substitutes artistry with excessive displays of wealth and privilege.
For a documentary centered on one of the most visible women in American politics, “Melania” offers remarkably little insight into its subject’s thoughts, values, or vision beyond surface-level declarations. Instead, viewers are left with an extended showcase of luxury lifestyle content that fails to illuminate the woman behind the carefully maintained public image.
As political documentaries go, “Melania” stands as a curious artifact – not for what it reveals, but for what it deliberately chooses to conceal.
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10 Comments
Focusing so heavily on Melania’s mundane daily activities like furniture shopping and dress fittings seems like a missed opportunity to explore her role and influence as First Lady. I was hoping for more substance.
Agreed. A documentary on such a high-profile public figure should delve deeper into the complexities of her position and how she navigates it, rather than getting bogged down in superficial details.
It’s disappointing to hear that this documentary feels more like an unintentional parody than a serious examination of Melania Trump. I was hoping for a more nuanced and insightful portrayal of the First Lady.
Same here. A lavish production budget doesn’t necessarily translate to a quality, well-rounded documentary. It sounds like the director missed an opportunity to explore the complexities of Melania’s role and public perception.
The use of the Rolling Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter’ is an odd choice, given the song’s darker themes. It seems to undermine any attempt at a serious, balanced portrayal of Melania Trump.
Yes, the jarring juxtaposition of the song’s lyrics and the film’s opulent visuals is a strange artistic decision. It raises questions about the director’s intent and the overall tone they were aiming for.
This documentary seems more like a fluff piece than a serious look at Melania Trump’s role and influence as First Lady. The lavish production values and focus on mundane details come across as an attempt to gloss over substance.
I agree, it’s disappointing to hear the film lacks depth and critical analysis. Melania is a complex public figure, and a thoughtful documentary should explore that nuance.
While the attention to detail in the production values is noteworthy, it seems the director failed to balance that with meaningful content and analysis. A documentary on such a prominent public figure should offer more substance.
Absolutely. Visuals alone don’t make for a compelling documentary. The director needed to delve deeper into Melania’s perspectives, decision-making, and broader influence, rather than just focusing on superficial aspects of her daily life.