A new documentary about Melania Trump, directed by Brett Ratner and backed by Amazon, has been met with scathing reviews. The film, which premiered at the White House last weekend, follows the former first lady as she prepares for her husband's second inauguration. Critics describe it as 'dispiriting, deadly and spectacularly unrevealing.'
The documentary opens with Melania guiding viewers through fashion fittings, table settings, and ball preparations, all delivered with a 'face like a fist and a voice of sheet metal.' The film focuses heavily on superficial details, such as the fit of her white blouse, while offering little insight into her character or the political context.
Donald Trump appears only as a background figure, boasting about his election win and complaining about the inauguration clashing with college football playoffs. The film has been compared unfavourably to Jonathan Glazer's 'The Zone of Interest,' with one reviewer calling it a 'gilded trash remake' that distracts from the political realities of the Trump administration.
Despite the lack of substance, the documentary culminates in the inauguration ball, where Melania briefly dances to the Village People's 'YMCA.' The film has been panned for its lack of redeeming qualities, with one critic noting that 'two hours of Melania feels like pure, endless hell.'
