Rotten Tomatoes has officially responded to allegations that the remarkably high audience score for the Melania Trump documentary Melania was artificially inflated or manipulated. The film, directed by Brett Ratner and released on Amazon, has achieved a dubious distinction on the review aggregator platform this week.
Record-Breaking Discrepancy Between Critics and Audiences
The documentary has set a new record on Rotten Tomatoes for the largest gap between critics' scores and audience ratings in the past 27 years. Critical reception has been overwhelmingly negative, with the film earning a mere 8 percent on the Rotten Tomatoes "Tomatometer." In stark contrast, cinema-goers have awarded it an astonishing 99 percent score on the platform's "Popcornmeter." This dramatic divergence prompted widespread speculation among film enthusiasts that some of the positive audience reviews might not be genuine.
Official Statement Dismisses Manipulation Claims
In a firm statement provided to Variety, Versant, the parent company of Rotten Tomatoes, categorically denied any foul play. "There has been NO manipulation on the audience reviews for the Melania documentary," the company asserted. They further clarified that "reviews displayed on the Popcornmeter are VERIFIED reviews, meaning that it has been verified that users have bought a ticket to the film through Fandango." This verification process is designed to ensure that only individuals who have actually purchased tickets can submit audience scores, thereby maintaining the integrity of the ratings.
The documentary, which explores the life of the former First Lady, was released in cinemas at the end of January. It debuted at number 29 in the UK box office. Despite its poor critical performance, many audience members have praised the film enthusiastically. One viewer commented, "It's a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Melania – her warmth, compassion, and dedication to this country." Another fan raved, "Beautifully done! Sophistication and class. Amazing First Lady!"
Significant Investment and Mixed Box Office Performance
Amazon reportedly invested heavily in the project, spending $40 million to acquire the rights to the film and an additional $35 million on marketing efforts. The financial commitment underscores the platform's confidence in the documentary's potential appeal.
In the United States, the film has surpassed box office expectations, generating $7 million in revenue during its opening weekend. This performance indicates a strong audience turnout domestically, aligning with the high Popcornmeter score.
However, the documentary has not fared as well in the UK and Ireland. It accumulated only £32,974 from 155 cinemas, resulting in a screen average of £212.80. This tepid reception contrasts sharply with its US success and highlights regional differences in audience engagement.
Critical Panning and Contentious Reception
Critical reviews have been harsh. The Independent's Nick Hilton awarded the film a one-star review, describing it as "somewhere between reality TV and pure fiction." He provocatively suggested that "to call Melania vapid would do a disservice to the plumes of florid vape smoke that linger around British teenagers." Hilton argued that the documentary presents "American history through the idiosyncratic prism of a woman who is part-puppet of the regime, part-delusional creative, and part-symbol of America’s immigrant community."
The controversy surrounding the audience scores reflects broader debates about the reliability of online review systems and the potential for manipulation in the digital age. Rotten Tomatoes' verification measures aim to address these concerns, but the extreme discrepancy in this case continues to fuel discussion among film critics and fans alike.
As the documentary continues its theatrical run, the disparity between critic and audience reactions remains a focal point. Whether this gap signifies genuine audience appreciation or highlights flaws in review aggregation systems is a question that persists, making Melania a notable case study in contemporary film reception.
