Melania: A Review

"Here we go again"- Melania Trump January 2025

The media is all day every day about "President Trump this" and "Trump that". But nobody ever really talks about Melania as First Lady (unless they are dissing on her fashion statement). So, when Amazon releases a documentary on her, I felt it was only fair to watch her story, from her perspective be told. No bias, no influence, just Melania Trump.

I will summarize the documentary in 3 categories.

1- Detail

2- Humor

3- Enlightenment

Detail

The film opens with Melania going to Trump tower to work out her dress and the style for the Inaugural ball following Donald's reelection. As someone who has never been to New York, to see Trump tower, the Statement of Trump, was spectacular.

It's only days away from the Inaugural ball. Days away from going back to the White House. The first quarter of the film focuses on Melania's style team. The intense attention to detail on every piece of fabric. As a First Lady, appearance is important. And as a stylist, Melania knows how to look, how to feel the look and how to communicate the look. She makes it clear one of her many jobs is to communicate efficiently to her staff to get her vision right.

Then we shift to the Inaugural ball. Melania determined the majority of the details of how the aesthetic was to look. Even the aesthetic of the White House. The part that stood out to me here was how much Melania treasured the history of America, as an immigrant, and wanted to embrace that going forward.

Later on, we are shown Melania and Donald sitting down and talking with the chief of security and chief of major events walking them through how the Inauguration will go. The details here are harrowing because Melania cares about her family so much and is no stranger to the dangers that have threatened them. She asks, "how safe are we?". Recounting the assassination attempts along with other attacks, you get to that genuine concern as a mother and wife to her family.

Humor

Yes, this documentary was funny, and I bet you know why. Needless to say, the comedy gold came from Donald Trump. However, this isn't to say the man is an outright clown. Just fun commentary.

At the beginning, Melania calls up Donald to congratulate him on a 2nd term. And the way he responds is hilarious. "They say I won all the swing states and even the popular vote. It was so big, nothing like it has ever happened. Did you watch it? You really should watch it." True Donald Trump charm right there that you can't help but chuckle over.

Another moment of humor was when Donald and Melania were sitting down with the chief's discussing details on the Inauguration. The chief of Major Events told Donald that there would be a car ride with him and Joe Biden as part of the "passing of the torch". To which Donald simply says, "It should be an interesting ride". It's funny if you understand the feud they have against each other.

Another moment was when Donald was working on his Inaugural speech. His public plan for the future of America. A man off camera asks Donald if he wants to be known as a "warmonger", to which Melania chimes in and says, "peacemaker and unifier". Cutting to the speech itself, when Donald says, "peacemaker and unifier" and then the camera zooms in on Melania smiling with Donald looking back at her and pointing to her, making note of the fact that they are leading together.

The final moment was during the swearing in ceremony, when all the previous presidents and first ladies are introduced leading up to the official commemoration of the next president. This moment was funny because the cameraman captured the raw moment of Joe and Kamala just before they were introduced as the 46th president. The emotion of loss, given everything they went through, also made me chuckle.

Enlightenment

Where to begin here...

The biggest thing that stood out to me was Melania's Be Best initiative which puts special care on growing kids in that it helps them get better education and care. In this 2nd term, last year Melania has grown that initiative to include how AI can affect young mind and making sure content is not harmful (i.e. cyberbullying). She also reached out to many leaders to get a better understand on how it's working there so it can improve here. In this day and age that's a big deal (did you know this about her?).

Melania also has helped play a part in the release of hostages from Gaza and the reunifying of kids with families from the Russian-Ukraine war. She really is America's Mother exercising her maternal strengths. Working with her husband to further reach a peace deal that will benefit all (did you know this about her?).

Melania gives us an insider look of the White House as her and Donald move back in. She notes this isn't a scary transition because they've been here before and know the staff well. Donald even "re-greets" the staff.

We are shown the transition of the Bidens moving out and the Trumps cannot move in until 12:01pm. But once they are officially moved back in, it's 2 am in the morning and they both acknowledge that it's one night of sleep and then back to the grind of working for the people.

Speaking of "the grind", following the Inauguration were a few after parties. The Starlight Ball, The Liberty Ball and The Inaugural Ball. Watching this in the theaters made me tired. Not because it was boring by any means, but because to witness that much energy on a big screen was just overwhelming. If you're like me, you scrolled social media all day to get the highlights of Trumps swearing in party. That was a lot. Imagine that but tenfold. Going from one event directly to the next. Melania notes that she was up for 22 hours straight...IN HEELS (could you do that?)

Melania also hired a couple of ladies to act as her personal secretaries. During the hiring process, Melania talks to two young ladies and tells them "This is not a 9-to-5 job. This will demand constant focus and high energy". Something you get a sense of watching the whole film.

On a more personal note, once we are introduced to Melania's family, we see her dad recording milestone moments of her life. using an old camcorder. As someone who grew up being recorded by my parents whenever we did something that was deemed an accomplishment, I felt the pride and joy of Melania's father watching his girl continue her journey as FLOTUS.

Personal Notes

The film is just over 2 hours long and focuses primarily on January 2025. Once Day 2 of the White House begins the film is over with Melania's portrait hanging in the White House halls. I wanted more. The journey back to the White House was interesting, but I was hoping we could see that extra layer of FLOTUS Melania actually doing office work.

As an observer, many people have knocked this film simply because of its name. With many I doubt having actually seen the film. Low ratings have been reported, and I was expecting the theater to be an audience of just me. I was wrong. It was pretty filled. Mostly with elderly and middle-aged folks. I also thought I was the youngest one there. But a row up from me was a little girl of I'd say 12 with her family watching it. All this to say that despite was you see online, reality says otherwise.

All in all, I give this film a full 5 stars. You're welcome to disagree but remember it's not about Donald Trump. It's about Melania. And she deserves a chance.