One of the few perks reviewing the documentary “Melania” is seeing the innards of Trump Tower. Add Mar-a-Lago, the White House and the private luxury jet with “TRUMP” emblazoned on its skin. Inside each of these illustrious containers, the first lady continuously walks in her 5-inch stiletto heels. And she’s surrounded by all things golden: tea cups, plates, chairs, mirrors and gilt picture frames.
Look closely or you will miss two rare works of art. While Melania criticizes the fold of a white silk scarf, the camera pans past a Renoir painting. Later, an early Monet landscape can be seen as an afterthought in the White House.
Luxuries abound in this slim telling of the 20 days leading up to the inauguration.
Why the limited narrative structure when the story of Slovenian-born, former model Melania Knaus could have taken so many other arcs? Apparently, it was the first lady’s preference. With frequent, high-pitched, carefully-scripted voice-overs, she tells the story of her exquisite taste: “I always act with purpose, and of course, with style.”
Helping the world’s children runs a distant second. The real subject of this documentary is taste, status and privilege.
Melania is prominently listed as the major producer along with a zillion co-producers, most notably Jeff Bezos. The Amazon-MGM project cost $40 million with an additional $35 million for marketing. For the record, Melania was paid a mere $23 million. I bought my movie ticket for $6, so I guess I’m a co-conspirator. By the way, the Gaslight Theatre recently raised its popular $5 Tuesday ticket by a dollar, so be forewarned.
People who love to-do lists, event planning and running meetings may love the film’s format. But endless navigating of font and paper selection or thin or wide gold stripes may weary of such choices.
The longest scene rolls through the three inaugural balls. After a day in her severe ink-black-navy suit and defensive Hamburglar hat, Melania appears in Hervé Pierre’s white-sheath, boldly streaked with a black zigzag. The president and first lady dance to the jolly tune of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” That disconnect is only one of many oddities in the documentary.
After viewing “Melania,” I watched Sofia Coppola’s 2006 costume-drama about Marie Antoinette. The timeline plot mirrors Melania’s 20 days. For Marie, it was her queen-consort stretch before becoming the queen of France. Like “Melania,” the focus is on luxury and privilege. Where Melania is old-world polite to subordinates, however, Marie is callous and dismissive. Hair styles differ dramatically, too. No wigs for Melania.
Marie, an Austrian archduchess, ascended to the French throne through an advantageous marriage and made the most of her reign by throwing elaborate parties and dressing to the nines. Exchange embroidered satin gowns for a white silk sheath, and you have merely changed dates on the calendar.
Judith Reynolds is an arts journalist and member of the American Theatre Critics Association.
