Melania Documentary: A $75 Million Political Prism

The Amazon MGM documentary about Melania Trump, directed by Brett Ratner, is causing a stir. The film's significant $75 million cost, referred to as a "bribe" by some, is invoking a range of emotions regardless of political affiliations. The film provides an insider's perspective on Donald Trump's wife during the 20 days leading up to the 2025 inauguration.

The documentary has debuted in over 1,500 theaters across America, with its box office returns intensively analyzed as a potential political indicator. Despite critics primarily giving the film unfavorable reviews, it is poised to make an impressive $8 million on its opening weekend.

Publications such as The Hollywood Reporter have slammed the film for its apparent excessive adoration of its subject matter. While The Atlantic has gone so far as to brand the film a "disgrace," criticizing its lack of action and lethargic pace. Meanwhile, The Guardian has compared the film to a "gilded trash remake," finding the movie's focus on Melania's luxury lifestyle to be a distractive technique.

However, The London Evening Standard provided the film with its only positive feedback, ensuring the documentary will not end up with a zero percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes (currently holding a meager 16 percent approval rating based on existing reviews).

As the film continues to roll-out, the diverse opinions manifest themselves not only as critiques of the documentary but also as reflections of the complex political landscape in America.