Melania: Twenty Days to History opens with a sweeping drone shot over the Atlantic Ocean, gliding past a white sand beach, a pool, and a golf green before descending on the terracotta roof of Donald Trump’s private Palm Beach club, Mar-a-Lago. Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” plays in the background, a track released in 1969 and technically outside the band’s ownership restrictions, despite their repeated objections to Trump using their music at rallies. A motorcade of black SUVs speeds by, ending with a stiletto-clad heel stepping onto the tarmac, a sequence that feels like the opening of a Hollywood blockbuster.
The film is clearly designed to mythologize Melania Trump, presenting her as more than the wife of one of the most polarizing men in modern American politics. On screen, Trump greets her: “You look so beautiful — movie star.” But despite the tens of millions of dollars invested by Amazon MGM Studios and virtually unlimited access to the former first lady, the documentary struggles to fulfill this ambitious premise and fails to reveal meaningful insight about its subject.
Director Brett Ratner, known for Rush Hour and X-Men: Last Stand, seems more enthralled by proximity to power than by the opportunity to explore it. Even in intimate moments, such as early in the morning following Trump’s second inauguration, Ratner lingers in awe: “I can’t believe we’re in the White House right now.” The president himself appears detached, quickly excusing himself to retire for the night.
The documentary’s approach is surprisingly superficial. Questions posed to Melania are often trivial, such as asking her favorite musical artist—she answers Michael Jackson—rather than exploring her personal perspectives, ambitions, or experiences as first lady. The film, while glossy and cinematic in its presentation, functions more as a curated PR exercise than a revealing portrait.
Visually, the documentary is striking, from aerial shots of Mar-a-Lago to meticulously staged sequences, but this style cannot compensate for the lack of substantive content. Melania: Twenty Days to History could have been a significant historical artifact, capturing the unique vantage point of a first lady married to a controversial president. Instead, it leans into spectacle over substance, opting for cinematic flair and star-making mythology rather than probing questions or context.
Ultimately, the film highlights the challenges of accessing power without interrogating it. Despite the lavish production values and exclusive access, the documentary does not bring viewers closer to understanding Melania Trump beyond her curated public image. For audiences seeking insight into her character or the inner workings of the Trump White House, the film is likely to disappoint.
