‘Melania’ sets the stage for the golden age of political storytelling.
If “the medium is the message,” the documentary giving audiences an inside look at the first lady’s life in the 20 days leading up to the 47th presidential inauguration hits the mark on both.
The film grossed over $7 million in it’s opening weekend, making it the highest grossing, non-music, documentary in a decade.
Melania’s Philosophy
The first lady takes the audience to a variety of design meetings including the making of her Oscar de la Renta inauguration gown, and the infamous flat brim black hat showing us her friendship with the designer Hervé Pierre.
But ‘Melania’ gives viewers more than the moment Trump says yes to the dress. The first lady goes into detail about her education and experience in architecture, the textile industry, modeling, and design.
“Melania” gives you a taste of the philosophy of visual aesthetics the first lady puts to use when decorating the White House or design choices for official events.
That philosophy—sleek, graceful, bold but polite—also inspires her philanthropy.
The documentary includes a meeting with Bridget Macron, the first lady of France, to discuss her anti-cyber bullying campaign called Be Best and a meeting with the Queen of Jordan to discuss her plans for her foster care philanthropy, Fostering the Future.
A Behind-the-Scenes Experience
The film also offers some personal moments.
Trump sings her favorite Michael Jackson song, “Billie Jean,” in the car. She takes us on a trip to Mar-a-Lago which she describes as “more than a home” it is full of “warmth, sunshine, family, and friends.”
Then, after all the inaugural balls, we see President Donald Trump and the first lady come back to the White House in the early morning hours. Melania invites the camera into the kitchen where Trump appears to get a Diet Coke from the fridge before getting straight to work.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the documentary is a hit with the audience with a 99% audience approval. The movie critics, however, give a less than 10% approval on the Tomatometer. But from what you learn about her in the movie, you can’t help thinking that probably doesn’t bother Trump at all.
“I will continue to live with purpose and of course style,” Melania says proudly closing the film.