“Melania” Documentary Surpasses Box Office Expectations
“Melania,” a documentary focusing on First Lady Melania Trump, has exceeded box office expectations in its opening weekend. Sunday estimates indicate that the film is set to make $7.04 million, placing it third overall for the weekend behind “Send Help” and “Iron Lung.”
Amazon acquired the documentary for $40 million and is investing an additional $35 million in promotion. Despite outperforming initial estimates, it is unlikely to turn a profit in theaters. Critics speculate that Amazon’s decision to outbid Disney by $26 million was more about political motives than box office potential.
Directed by Brett Ratner, “Melania” is his first film since facing allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct in 2017. The documentary has faced backlash, with two-thirds of the New York crew opting not to be credited. Reviews have been harsh, with a mere 7% on Metacritic and 10% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Controversy Surrounding the Film
Apple CEO Tim Cook attended a screening at the White House, but the documentary was not shown to critics beforehand. Critics have criticized it as a “carefully stage-managed chronicle” of Melania Trump’s life leading up to the 2025 inauguration.
New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis described the film as a “circumscribed” portrayal of Melania Trump’s daily life. Despite the negative reception, Amazon MGM’s Kevin Wilson believes the film will have a long-tail lifecycle on Amazon Prime streaming service.
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