The film "Melania," directed by Brett Ratner, is a laughable attempt to humanize the wife of former US President Donald Trump. It's a $75 million snoozefest that fails miserably in its quest to provide insight into Melania's life and experiences.
Ratner, who has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, is no stranger to controversy. His involvement in the film only adds to the sense of unease surrounding it. The movie itself is filled with cringeworthy moments, from Melania's awkward dance at a Trump supporter event to her awkward attempts to connect with ordinary Americans.
The real tragedy, however, lies in the context of Trump's presidency and its impact on democracy. As the film releases during a time when Trump's authoritarian tendencies are becoming increasingly clear, it's hard not to see "Melania" as a sanitized version of his wife's experience.
The movie focuses on Melania's supposed humanitarian efforts, including her anti-bullying initiative and her work with children affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. However, these moments feel forced and contrived, like they were added to appease critics who might view Trump's actions as heartless or exploitative.
One of the most striking aspects of "Melania" is its lack of self-awareness. The film tries to pass off Melania's bland, generic comments about freedom and family as profound insights into her psyche. These statements feel like they were generated by an AI program designed to produce vague, corporate-speak responses.
The movie's portrayal of Trump is similarly one-dimensional. His warm welcome for Melania at the White House, where he thanks her for being a "great wife," feels more like a scripted moment than a genuine expression of affection.
Overall, "Melania" is a vacuous, unengaging film that fails to provide any meaningful insight into its subject's life or experiences. It's a $75 million waste of money that reinforces the worst aspects of Trump's presidency and its impact on American democracy.
Ratner, who has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, is no stranger to controversy. His involvement in the film only adds to the sense of unease surrounding it. The movie itself is filled with cringeworthy moments, from Melania's awkward dance at a Trump supporter event to her awkward attempts to connect with ordinary Americans.
The real tragedy, however, lies in the context of Trump's presidency and its impact on democracy. As the film releases during a time when Trump's authoritarian tendencies are becoming increasingly clear, it's hard not to see "Melania" as a sanitized version of his wife's experience.
The movie focuses on Melania's supposed humanitarian efforts, including her anti-bullying initiative and her work with children affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. However, these moments feel forced and contrived, like they were added to appease critics who might view Trump's actions as heartless or exploitative.
One of the most striking aspects of "Melania" is its lack of self-awareness. The film tries to pass off Melania's bland, generic comments about freedom and family as profound insights into her psyche. These statements feel like they were generated by an AI program designed to produce vague, corporate-speak responses.
The movie's portrayal of Trump is similarly one-dimensional. His warm welcome for Melania at the White House, where he thanks her for being a "great wife," feels more like a scripted moment than a genuine expression of affection.
Overall, "Melania" is a vacuous, unengaging film that fails to provide any meaningful insight into its subject's life or experiences. It's a $75 million waste of money that reinforces the worst aspects of Trump's presidency and its impact on American democracy.