The Trump administration has an ostentatious way of controlling the country. The president has resorted to extravagant Mar-a-Lago parties during times of chaos, the Oval Office has been gilded in gold and The White House’s official account has turned deportation into social media content. To add to the theatrics, a documentary titled “Melania,” following the recent years of the first lady, will enter theaters Jan 30.
The documentary is directed by Brett Ratner, whose past projects include Tower Heist, Hercules, the Rush Hour series and X-Men: The Last Stand. All of these films are notably action-packed and/or comedic. It would be shocking for a director who specializes in amusement to project the Trump administration through a thoughtful, evaluative lens. Looking at other films that capture the stories of political figures, you would see a more educational sort of production. “The Reagans” was directed by Matt Tyrnauer, who has used filmmaking to share the stories of impactful lawyers and activists. Dawn Porter, a director who is known for her movies that capture human rights movements, documented Pete Souza in “The Way I See It.” The chosen director for “Melania” stands out in a questionable way.
The trailer opens with the first lady in her avant-garde inauguration outfit. The rim of her black hat extends over her eyes as she glances over her shoulder. This is when she murmurs a presumably staged line to the camera: “here we go again.” A rapid montage of camera flashes, a resplendent villa and an applauding crowd follows. Donald Trump stands before a podium and briefly mentions how his “proudest legacy will be that of peacemaker.” Melania nods in agreement and adds the term “unifier” to her husband’s self-entitled description. The remaining 50 seconds shows a plethora of glamorous dresses, American flags and a strikingly dramatic music score: an accurate reflection of the administration’s arrogant patriotism and materialistic values.
In most action movies, the viewers are introduced to easily distinguishable good guys and bad guys. The hero usually triumphs above the villain and is adored by fans of the movie. Considering the action-packed portrayal of the first lady that has been revealed in the trailer, it’s important to note that Melania Trump herself is one of the producers. If Melania uses extravagant Hollywood tactics to share her perspective of her husband’s reign, this documentary is nearing the fine line that distinguishes campaigning from propaganda.
Posters of superheroes should be hung on bedroom walls, not politicians. Children should play with action figures of their favorite video game characters, not government officials. If any documentary is made about the Trump administration, it should be expository and truthful, not a cartoonish adventure with the inadequate first lady as the protagonist.
