A film about Melania Trump has ignited a cultural firestorm, revealing a chasm in opinion unlike almost anything seen in recent cinema. The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, isn't simply dividing audiences – it's fracturing them, with a staggering 93% difference between the views of critics and those who have actually seen it.
Critics have dismissed the film as profoundly uninteresting, labeling it “a triumph of the dull.” Yet, for many viewers, it’s being hailed as a work of art. Even former President Donald Trump himself weighed in, declaring it a “MUST WATCH” with his characteristic emphatic capitalization, a sentiment perhaps unsurprisingly given the subject matter.
The documentary offers a glimpse into the 20 days preceding Trump’s second inauguration, focusing solely on the First Lady. However, its reception has been overwhelmingly negative from professional reviewers, landing it a dismal 8% score on Rotten Tomatoes – a place reserved for some of the most critically panned films ever made.
The sheer disparity in scores prompted Rotten Tomatoes to issue a statement, assuring the public that the remarkably high audience score of 99% wasn’t the result of manipulation. The site confirmed that all reviews were “VERIFIED,” meaning they came from ticket buyers through Fandango.
Enthusiastic audience members have flooded the site with praise. One user, James F, called Melania “the epitome of style, grace and elegance.” Others described sold-out theaters erupting in applause and cheers, with some even noting that the film transcended political divides, enjoyed even by self-identified Democrats.
The experience wasn’t universal. Film critic Mark Kermode famously described watching the documentary as “the most depressing experience I have ever had in the cinema.” Other reviews echoed this sentiment, calling it “two hours of pure absence” and “an obsequious, ring-kissing portrait” of the administration.
One writer, after attending a nearly empty screening in the UK, bluntly stated the film was “vacuous, empty, and devoid of any emotional heft.” The stark contrast in experiences highlights the film’s polarizing nature and its ability to evoke strong, opposing reactions.
The controversy extends beyond the cinema walls. Billboards advertising the film in Los Angeles have been targeted by graffiti, including images depicting a disrespectful act towards the American flag. The art collective responsible, Indecline, framed their actions as a protest against the administration’s policies, particularly regarding immigration.
Adding another layer of complexity, director Brett Ratner recently addressed his appearance in documents released related to Jeffrey Epstein. He identified one of the women in a photograph with Epstein as a former fiancée, maintaining he had no close relationship with Epstein himself and didn’t know him.
Ratner’s involvement is particularly sensitive given the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against him in 2017. Six women, including actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, publicly accused him of sexual assault and harassment, allegations his lawyer denied at the time. This backdrop casts a further shadow over the already contentious documentary.
The film’s release has become a cultural flashpoint, a stark illustration of the deep divisions that permeate contemporary society. It’s a story not just about Melania Trump, but about how we consume, interpret, and react to information in an increasingly fractured world.
