Melania Trump's highly anticipated documentary, a $75 million Amazon-produced project, has opened to a distinctly underwhelming reception in New York City and across the United States. The film, which promises an intimate look at "twenty days" in the life of the former first lady, was met with sparse audiences and tepid reviews during its opening weekend.
A Lacklustre Opening in the Big Apple
At one of New York's busiest cinemas on the day of the film's release, the turnout was notably poor. Reports from an AMC theatre near Times Square indicated that precisely twelve people attended a screening, with at least half of those being journalists assigned to review the production. This pattern of vacant seats was reflected in other major cities, including Boston and Charleston, as shared by users on social media platforms.
Viewer Reactions: Curiosity Over Captivation
Among the few non-industry viewers was Chase, a 24-year-old who described himself as politically independent. He offered a measured analysis, stating, "I just think it's really interesting to see, like, inside the life of somebody so famous. She's a private person. So I think it's interesting just to kind of see, you know, how her life really is, at least to some extent." He added that he found the documentary "very good" and informative about aspects of Melania Trump's life previously unknown to the public.
Another attendee, Jim Behrle, a 52-year-old Democrat, admitted he attended because he "thought it might be funny." His verdict was similarly lukewarm: "I didn't dislike it as much as I thought I would. There was some interesting stuff in it. There were some interesting characters, and some of the footage is shot really well." However, he critically noted the film's lack of narrative drive, saying, "There's not a lot of rising action in the film at all. I mean, there's not a lot of conflict or anything like that." His overall summary was damningly succinct: "It's not a gripping film."
A Costly Venture for Amazon
The documentary represents a significant financial investment by Amazon, which reportedly paid $40 million to produce the film and spent an additional $35 million on marketing. The project was commissioned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, a known associate of former President Donald Trump. Industry analysts suggest the poor opening weekend is likely to result in substantial losses for the streaming giant, though some speculate that the political capital gained with the Trump circle may be considered invaluable.
Critiques of the On-Screen Subject
Critical reception has highlighted Melania Trump's apparent discomfort as a documentary subject. Reviews suggest she is an uneasy on-screen presence, whose lack of natural charisma leaves much of the film's runtime filled with mundane activities. These reportedly include extensive sequences of the former first lady trying on clothes and footage of croquet games at the Mar-a-Lago estate, scenes some critics have compared to the leisurely pace of a retirement community video.
The film's central premise, introduced by Melania Trump herself—that "everybody wants to know" how she spends her time—appears to be contradicted by the tangible lack of public interest demonstrated at the box office. The documentary's struggle to captivate audiences underscores the challenge of translating a famously private figure's life into compelling cinema, even with a budget of tens of millions of dollars.
