WASHINGTON:
“Melania,” the Amazon MGM-produced documentary following the sometimes guarded US first woman as she prepares for her husband Donald’s second inauguration, opened in theatres Friday.
The large launch got here a day after a lavish premiere on the Kennedy Heart, lately redubbed the Trump-Kennedy Heart, the place the 55-year-old former mannequin’s outspoken husband known as the movie “glamorous, very glamorous.”
At a exhibiting in Washington, the place a serious winter storm has snarled transit, Savannah Harrison instructed AFP she had bought her ticket as a result of she “was simply very intrigued to see the behind the scenes.”
In contrast to most reviewers in US media, she was delighted by the movie.
“In distinction of what we see from President Trump on a regular basis, it is simply one other side that it humanizes them a little bit bit extra,” she stated, admitting that she went into the movie with a optimistic view of the primary woman.
In Los Angeles, the place voters opted towards Trump 2-to-1 in 2024, a billboard for the documentary was defaced to make it seem as if the primary woman was defecating on an American flag.
The 1 hour 44 minute movie follows the usually guarded Melania throughout the 20 days main as much as the January 20, 2025 inauguration. After its theatrical launch it will likely be obtainable for streaming on Prime Video.
From the presidential couple’s Florida property to Trump Tower in New York and the White Home, the primary woman goes from appointment to appointment, making ready her outfits for Inauguration Day and deciding on decor for his or her return to Washington.
There aren’t any sensational revelations, although she does talk about the deep impression of her mom’s loss of life. She additionally says her favourite singer is Michael Jackson.
Critiques
Whereas the movie grants uncommon entry into her life, “Melania” has additionally given an perception into the best way US enterprise titans have lined as much as pay tribute to the Trump administration prior to now 12 months.
Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos has grown notably nearer to Trump, securing a major seat on the inauguration and telling the Washington Publish newspaper he owns to favor pro-business editorials.
US media say that of Amazon’s $40 million licensing deal for the movie, Melania, who served as govt producer, will obtain 70 %. The subsequent highest bid, from Disney, was reportedly solely $14 million.
At a viewing in Florida, Jannet Iglesias was enthusiastic concerning the movie, calling it “unbelievable.”
“I believe that everybody has to return and see it. I will come for the second time,” she stated.
US media has been much less enthusiastic in its critiques, with The Atlantic calling the documentary a “shame” and the Selection commerce journal describing it as a “shameless infomercial.”
Anticipated viewership for the movie has additionally been a lot mentioned on-line, with many anticipating weak gross sales.
In South Africa, the movie was withdrawn from main theaters simply earlier than its launch, with the distributor citing “the present local weather.”
South Africa’s authorities has had very tense relations with Trump, notably over his unfounded allegations of there being a “genocide” towards White individuals within the nation.
The movie has additionally been roundly critiqued for its director: Brett Ratner.
The director behind the “Rush Hour” franchise was in 2017 accused of sexual assault by actresses Natasha Henstridge and Olivia Munn, in addition to 4 different ladies, within the midst of the #MeToo motion. He has denied any wrongdoing.
