'Melania' documentary leaves viewers divided - here's what the film included and didn't

The new documentary about Melania Trump has divided viewers, with some leaving scathing reviews while others praised her 'perfectionist' ways.

Few tickets were sold in the UK, although it did significantly better in the US. It was the biggest box office opening for a documentary in a decade, though it's a long way from clawing back the $40 million Amazon spent to acquire it and the $35 million marketing costs.

There's also been controversy after people who worked on the film 'wanted their name removing from the credits', and it was also pulled from South Africa.

The film was directed by Brett Ratner, who appeared in the latest release of the Epstein files.

Melania follows the first lady for the 20 days leading up to her husband's 2025 inauguration.

The film's synopsis reads: "With exclusive footage capturing critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments, Melania showcases Mrs Trump’s return to one of the world’s most powerful roles."

The film was acquired by Amazon for a huge sum (Amazon/MGM Studios)

Vue Cinemas admitted that their flagship cinema in London only sold one single ticket for one of the first screenings of the film.

Now, reviewers and viewers have been sharing their thoughts on the film, and they are definitely divided.

One wrote: "As a history fanatic, I went into this film hoping to learn more about our current first lady. Instead, I found a highly produced fluff piece that never quite discovered its own purpose."

They wrote that much of the film features Melania exiting limousines and planes or just walking around, and complained it focuses heavily on fashion rather than anything political.

The reviewer went on: "Given the country's current economic struggles, this focus felt especially off-putting and tone-deaf.

"I didn't come to watch Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous - I came hoping for depth, context, and understanding.

"What emerged instead was a portrait of someone who feels highly guarded and seemingly disconnected from the financial realities facing most Americans. Ultimately, the film felt out of touch, and I would not recommend it."

One wrote more bluntly: "There is no story here. It's nothing about the first lady, where she came from, who she is, etc. This is simply her picking out fashion. I feel dumber for having watched it. Thank heavens I didn’t pay for it!"

'Melania' follows the first lady over 20 days in the lead up to Donald's inauguration (Amazon/MGM Studios)

Not everyone hated it, though. One fan wrote: "I went without preconceptions and found it very interesting. It was not a story, but a documentary... An inside look into the public and very personal life of the FLOTUS (Melania) within the fast paced week leading up to the 2nd inauguration of President Trump. I found it interesting, informative and entertaining."

Another said: "It is a wonderful movie. It takes [us] through the days leading up to the inauguration and the planning that she did for it. It gives a lot of insight about the projects she has been working on for children. She is very gracious."

Someone else said it gave an interesting insight into how much work goes into the role: "Anyone who thinks the life of president or FLOTUS is a life of luxury and leisure, are highly mistaken. They both work hard, and earn their money, based on what is shown in this film."

They added: "Melania is busy constantly, flying around, planning events, meeting with people. She is a perfectionist so in every situation she has to be 100% 'on' and looking great, in flawlessly tailored fashion and of course, high heels."

Even fans of Donald and Melania Trump were divided on the film (Craig Hudson/Variety via Getty Images)

They praised Melania: "In one scene they were all assembled at Arlington Cemetery outside in freezing cold rain. I give Melania a lot of credit for showing up in as many places as she does and taking care of so many people. Heck, I give Donald Trump credit for all that too."

One critic shared their frustration despite being a fan of the president and his wife, saying it lacks any background of where Melania came from: "A movie bloated with plastic and botox. She doesn't even talk about where she came from. I was hoping to learn something. Instead was left in the dark wondering [if] I wasted money on this movie. Was just trying to support."

Another blasted it as a 'slog of a movie', saying it 'mistakes moodiness for depth and repetition for insight'.

They added: "What should have been a compelling character study instead drifts into a dull, lifeless exercise that never justifies its own existence."

It is one of the worst-reviewed movies in the history of film website IMDb, which is a dubious accolade, receiving 1.3 out of 10.

Over on Rotten Tomatoes, critics rate it a shockingly low five percent, while viewers - clearly fans of the first lady - rated it 99 percent.