First Ladies expect to get their close-ups. That, we’re told, is part of the job … that, and showing up sober. I recall Mimi Eisenhower, Jackie Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon on up through Michelle Obama and Jill Biden on TV interviews putting their best faces forward. And why not? We like our First Ladies. But last week’s premiere of the documentary Melania was the first time (Martha Washington included) that a sitting First Lady has released a feature-length motion picture about herself … a carefully supervised and expertly marketed media extravaganza allegedly costing $75 million, much of it from MGM and Amazon Films.
If you were waiting for a tell-all, don’t wait. So far, I have only seen the slyly edited trailer, which reminds me of the book title Harpo Speaks!, because this may be the first time I’ve ever seen Melania’s lips move and heard her voice.
I’m getting ahead of myself, as I’ve decided not to form an opinion until I’ve read the New Yorker‘s review. I lean toward watching movies where immigrants make good (Scarface, for example). But perhaps the trailer will do nicely enough. If you are a “trailer person,” take a quick peek below, since that’s all you’re going to see until you buy some tickets.
Although I’m not allowing the following commentary to influence me, it is worth noting comedian Brent Terhune’s ersatz review posted on X: “Can’t believe they released the Epstein files to cover up for the Melania movie.”
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