Melania Documentary Review: Former First Lady’s Portrait Criticized as Empty Propaganda

In a remarkable fusion of personal documentary and political theater, the new Amazon film “Melania” offers viewers a carefully curated glimpse into the life of America’s returning First Lady. The 104-minute production follows Melania Trump during the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, yet conspicuously omits the compelling biographical details of her journey from Slovenia to the White House.

“Everyone wants to know, so here it is,” Melania declares in voiceover, though the film never clarifies what exactly “it” might be. Instead, viewers are treated to meticulous attention to ceremonial minutiae – place settings, hat ribbons, and banquet preparations – interspersed with personal reflections that rarely penetrate beyond surface-level sentiments about family and loss.

The documentary’s financial underpinnings raise significant questions about its intent and independence. Amazon reportedly paid approximately $40 million for the rights to the project, with $28 million going directly to Mrs. Trump. This substantial investment becomes visually apparent during inauguration eve festivities, where Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is prominently featured alongside fellow tech titans Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Tim Cook – a tableau of corporate influence within the renewed Trump administration.

Helming the project is director Brett Ratner, known for commercial successes like “Rush Hour” and “Tower Heist.” Ratner’s involvement marks his return to high-profile filmmaking following sexual assault and harassment allegations in 2017, which he has denied. This professional resurrection parallels Trump’s political comeback, creating an uncomfortable subtext about power, forgiveness, and second chances in American public life.

Despite featuring immigrants who serve the administration – including French-born fashion designer Hervé Pierre and Laos-born designer Tham Kannalikham – the documentary presents a sanitized vision of immigration that aligns with Trump’s selective embrace of certain foreign-born individuals while maintaining harsh policies toward others. Melania herself speaks with her characteristic accent but makes only passing reference to her “country of birth,” mentioning Slovenia just once throughout the film.

The documentary’s theatrical timing is particularly striking, arriving as America experiences significant social unrest. The contrast between the Trumps’ opulent lifestyle – replete with gold and caviar – and the nation’s ongoing struggles creates visual dissonance that critics have likened to historical figures like Marie Antoinette or Hermann Göring, removed from the realities facing ordinary citizens.

Throughout the film, Melania offers platitudinous observations like “Cherish your family and loved ones” and “No matter where [people] come from, we are bound by the same humanity.” These sentiments, delivered in carefully composed shots reminiscent of Ratner’s work on blockbuster films, contribute to the documentary’s artificial quality. Donald Trump himself emerges as the more naturally charismatic screen presence, providing relief from what one reviewer describes as Melania’s “mask of pure nothingness.”

“Melania” ultimately exists in an ambiguous space between documentary, propaganda, and reality television. Many scenes feature the First Lady playing a staged version of herself, raising questions about authenticity and intent. As the Trumps dance at their victory celebration to the strains of “Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on,” viewers are left to contemplate whose truth is being served by this high-budget production.

The film’s value may ultimately lie not in its revelations about Melania Trump herself, but as a cultural artifact documenting a particular moment in American political history – one characterized by the intertwining of corporate influence, personal brand-building, and political power at the highest levels of government.

“Melania” is now playing in theaters nationwide.