Overview of It's Been a Minute — "Melania Trump isn't telling the whole truth"
This episode of NPR's It's Been a Minute (host Brittany Luce) unpacks the Amazon-backed documentary Everyone Has an Opinion on Melania — a glossy, self-produced film about First Lady Melania Trump that covers the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Guests Bob Mondello (NPR senior arts critic) and Alison Wilmore (New York Magazine film critic) critique the film’s tone, authorship, audience, and the political/financial context around its $40 million production and promotion.
Key points and main takeaways
- Film tone and style
- Critics describe the documentary as highly controlled and polished: words used include “airless,” “shiny,” “high heels forward,” “manicured,” and “infomercial.”
- The film prioritizes flattering, staged moments over spontaneous or vulnerable ones; subjects appear always made-up and camera-aware.
- Authorship and control
- Melania Trump is an executive producer, and critics argue she appears to control the narrative and presentation.
- The result is a curated portrait with little genuine emotional access.
- Specific ethical concerns
- Critics say at least one scene appears fabricated or edited to change the historical record (an inaugural-address-related moment presented differently in the film than in the archival footage).
- Director and context
- The documentary was directed by Brett Ratner (known for Rush Hour), whose career faced controversy after sexual-assault accusations in 2017.
- Reception and audience
- Critics’ ratings were overwhelmingly negative (single-digit percentages on Rotten Tomatoes), while audience scores were extremely positive (mid-to-high 90s on user ratings).
- Initial box-office return was modest (~$7 million), but screenings were stronger in conservative/“red” markets; ticket-buyer demographics skewed older, white, and female.
- Corporate and political backdrop
- Amazon reportedly paid $40 million to produce the film; with promotion included some reporting puts the total near ~$75 million.
- Jeff Bezos/Amazon’s involvement is flagged as politically and culturally notable, especially given Bezos owns The Washington Post and other connections among the elite shown in the film.
Notable quotes and critic impressions
- “Airless” — Alison Wilmore, describing the film’s lack of spontaneous emotion.
- “High heels forward” — a shorthand for the film’s stylistic focus on fashion and surface.
- “Shiny” — Brittany Luce, pointing to the glossy, Lisa Vanderpump–style aesthetic.
- “Infomercial” — Bob Mondello, signaling a feeling that the film serves promotion/fan service more than critical inquiry.
Topics discussed
- How celebrity/self-produced documentaries differ from independent observational documentaries (authorship, access, staged moments).
- Comparison to other celebrity docs (Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Celine Dion) where controlled access still sometimes yields moments of vulnerability.
- Questions about whether the film functions as documentary, propaganda, or fan service.
- The role of big tech and billionaires in culture (Amazon/Bezos funding, potential motivations, and broader implications).
- Ethics of archival editing and factual accuracy in politically sensitive portraits.
Audience, reception, and box office
- Rotten Tomatoes: critics’ score very low; audience score extremely high (indicating polarized response and possible review-bombing or strong fan turnout).
- Box office: roughly $7 million reported; strong turnout concentrated in conservative-leaning U.S. markets (Dallas, Orlando, Tampa, Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, West Palm Beach).
- Ticket-buyer demographics (reported): majority white, skewed female, and older (many aged 55+).
Production and ethical concerns
- Melania as executive producer: raises questions about transparency, selective disclosure, and shaping of narrative.
- Alleged fabricated or recontextualized moment involving an inaugural address line; critics say the film appears to alter how events actually occurred.
- Director Brett Ratner’s involvement raises reputational concerns given prior accusations against him (six women accused him of sexual assault in 2017).
Commercial and political context
- Amazon’s $40M production payment (plus promotion) prompts discussion of corporate cultural influence and possible quid pro quo/relationship-building with political figures.
- Bezos’s presence in the film and his ownership of The Washington Post were mentioned as part of a broader conversation about billionaire influence in media and politics.
Bottom line / Recommendations
- The documentary is best approached as a tightly controlled, promotional portrait rather than an investigative or candid documentary. Expect glossy production values and curated moments rather than spontaneous insight.
- If you watch it, cross-check archival clips and public records for claims or moments that seem surprising; consume with media-literacy skepticism.
- For context, consider viewing it alongside other celebrity documentaries and reading critiques that examine authorship, production funding, and distribution motives.
Credits mentioned
- Host: Brittany Luce (It's Been a Minute)
- Guests: Bob Mondello (NPR senior arts critic), Alison Wilmore (New York Magazine film critic)
- Director of the Melania film: Brett Ratner
- Amazon reported to have paid $40M; promotion reportedly raised total spend
(Production and editorial note: NPR disclosed that Amazon is a recent financial supporter and distributor of some NPR content; funding is stated to be separate from NPR editorial programming.)