The documentary “Melania” was released in the United States on January 30. It follows the twenty days before Donald Trump’s second inauguration as the 47th president of the United States. On Letterboxd, the film received a 1.3 out of 5 rating, while some US media outlets suggested the project may have been seen as a gesture of loyalty from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos toward Trump.
According to the article, the film is being described as the most expensive documentary in cinema history. Its total cost is estimated at $75 million, including a production budget of $40 million and another $35 million for marketing. The report also cites claims that $28 million may have gone directly to Melania Trump.
The film was directed by Brett Ratner, known for the “Rush Hour” and “X-Men” films. His return to major filmmaking drew further attention because in 2017 six women accused him of sexual misconduct, after which Warner Bros. ended its contract with his production company.
Film critic Irina Karpova writes that in the nearly two-hour documentary, Melania Trump is presented mainly as a figure of protocol and control. The camera lingers on preparations for receptions, the choice of fabrics, dress fittings, and meetings with political figures, yet, in the critic’s view, the film reveals very little of the first lady’s private side.
One of the most discussed scenes is a phone call in which Donald Trump asks Melania whether she has seen the election results, and she replies that she will check the news.
In the film, Melania meets the wives of world leaders, mourns her late mother, speaks about her son Barron, edits her husband’s speech, and stresses the importance of campaign donors; Bezos and Elon Musk are shown on screen at that moment. Karpova argues that the documentary portrays Melania as an important public figure, but largely avoids the crisis backdrop of contemporary America and offers little new understanding of her role.