NEW YORK, May 16, 2024 — A new film aiming to construct a glamorous image around Melania Trump is already drawing criticism for failing to deliver insight into its subject, despite a reported $40 million investment from Amazon MGM Studios. Melania: Twenty Days to History opens with sweeping aerial shots of Mar-a-Lago, set to the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”—a song the band has repeatedly asked Donald Trump not to use at his rallies.
A Blockbuster Attempt Falls Flat
The film attempts to create a movie star myth around Melania Trump, promoting the idea that she is anything other than the wife of a polarizing figure. The film’s opening sequence, reminiscent of a summer blockbuster, features a motorcade speeding toward an airport, culminating in the dramatic reveal of a stiletto heel stepping onto the tarmac.
Critics suggest the project, directed by Brett Ratner—known for films like Rush Hour and X-Men: Last Stand—misses the mark. Ratner, granted virtually unrestricted access to the former first lady, reportedly focused on superficial questions, such as her favorite musical artist (Michael Jackson). The film follows Trump in the three weeks leading up to the inauguration, documenting her preparations—from outfit selections and party menu consultations (including a golden egg topped with caviar) to marking the anniversary of her mother’s death and preparing to return to the White House.
A Glimpse Behind the Curtain—or Not?
The film relies heavily on a scripted voiceover by Trump herself, rather than in-depth interviews. This approach, combined with the work of cinematographers Barry Peterson, Dante Spinotti, and Jeff Cronenweth, is described as resembling a lavishly filmed book report. One early scene shows Ratner marveling at being in the White House shortly after the president’s second inauguration, while Trump appears visibly bored and excuses himself to go to bed.
- The film Melania received a limited theatrical release, with screenings in 3,300 theaters worldwide.
- The film’s narrative structure relies heavily on a scripted voiceover by Melania Trump.
- Critics have noted the film’s lack of substantive insight into its subject.
- Director Brett Ratner reportedly focused on superficial questions during filming.
A particularly awkward moment captured on film involves what appears to be a struggle with Trump’s inauguration day headpiece, intercut with footage of White House movers swapping furniture. The film also includes a phone call where the former president discusses the 2024 election, claiming a “landslide” and “big win.” On inauguration day, Trump reflects on her status as an immigrant and first lady, stating, “No matter where we come from, we are bound by the same humanity,” but the moment is fleeting and lacks introspection.
The film’s release coincides with heightened scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement, specifically a “violent, prolonged, and unprovoked assault” on Minneapolis. This timing, critics note, creates a jarring contrast between the polished depiction of the former first lady and the realities of immigration policy. At the New York City premiere, the theater was reportedly less than a quarter full, primarily populated by journalists, with only a few other attendees—one of whom left halfway through.
Amazon declined to provide advance screenings of the film to reviewers.
