The latest cinematic offering from Amazon, "Melania," is a mind-numbingly vacuous attempt to humanize the enigmatic first lady. Director Brett Ratner, known for his dubious track record with women accused of sexual assault or harassment, has once again proven himself to be a sycophant with a penchant for whitewashing controversies.
The film's marketing campaign touts its "unprecedented access" to Melania Trump, but what we're actually getting is a shallow, one-dimensional portrayal of the woman behind the public persona. Melania herself appears on screen only briefly, her expression as unlined and impassive as ever, leaving viewers with more questions than answers about the complexities of her character.
The movie's focus on Melania's "lifestyle" and "philanthropy" serves as a thinly veiled attempt to distract from the numerous controversies surrounding her husband, Donald Trump. The film's narrative is replete with convenient plot points that conveniently gloss over or downplay Trump's many scandals, including his close friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Ratner's handling of these sensitive topics is all too familiar, as he has a history of fawning over his subjects in an attempt to avoid any perceived criticism. The result is a film that feels like a carefully constructed PR campaign rather than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
The Intercept's investigation into the latest tranche of Epstein documents reveals some disturbing connections between Ratner and Trump, including photos of them embracing two women whose identities are redacted. These details only serve to further underscore the film's lack of integrity, as it appears that Ratner is more interested in promoting his own reputation than in tackling any serious issues.
Throughout the movie, Melania's voiceover narration provides a steady stream of platitudes and generic observations that fail to reveal anything about her inner life or personal struggles. Her attempts at humor are cringe-worthy, and her relationships with those around her feel like they're being scripted rather than genuinely experienced.
Ultimately, "Melania" feels like a product of its own marketing campaign – a shallow, overpriced attempt to sell a watered-down version of a public figure that's been stripped of any real substance or depth. As the film mercifully draws to a close, it's clear that this is a movie that's more concerned with promoting a particular image than with telling a genuine story about its subject.
The film's marketing campaign touts its "unprecedented access" to Melania Trump, but what we're actually getting is a shallow, one-dimensional portrayal of the woman behind the public persona. Melania herself appears on screen only briefly, her expression as unlined and impassive as ever, leaving viewers with more questions than answers about the complexities of her character.
The movie's focus on Melania's "lifestyle" and "philanthropy" serves as a thinly veiled attempt to distract from the numerous controversies surrounding her husband, Donald Trump. The film's narrative is replete with convenient plot points that conveniently gloss over or downplay Trump's many scandals, including his close friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Ratner's handling of these sensitive topics is all too familiar, as he has a history of fawning over his subjects in an attempt to avoid any perceived criticism. The result is a film that feels like a carefully constructed PR campaign rather than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
The Intercept's investigation into the latest tranche of Epstein documents reveals some disturbing connections between Ratner and Trump, including photos of them embracing two women whose identities are redacted. These details only serve to further underscore the film's lack of integrity, as it appears that Ratner is more interested in promoting his own reputation than in tackling any serious issues.
Throughout the movie, Melania's voiceover narration provides a steady stream of platitudes and generic observations that fail to reveal anything about her inner life or personal struggles. Her attempts at humor are cringe-worthy, and her relationships with those around her feel like they're being scripted rather than genuinely experienced.
Ultimately, "Melania" feels like a product of its own marketing campaign – a shallow, overpriced attempt to sell a watered-down version of a public figure that's been stripped of any real substance or depth. As the film mercifully draws to a close, it's clear that this is a movie that's more concerned with promoting a particular image than with telling a genuine story about its subject.