It’s a film which has become symptomatic of our fractured time – showcasing a whopping 93% divide between film critics and fans.
Members of the former have dubbed it ‘a triumph of the dull,’ while the latter have described it as a form of ‘classical art.’
Even US President Donald Trump weighed in on its value, describing it as a ‘MUST WATCH,’ in his inimitable all-caps style.
Well, he would say that – the Brett Ratner-directed documentary Melania follows his wife and First Lady, in the 20 days prior to his second inaugaration.
With a meagre 8% score on Rotten Tomatoes, critical response puts Melania firmly in the ‘rotten’ category, alongside some of the most infamous stinkers of all time.
Indeed, the growing divide has led the review aggregator to issue a statement of its own, confirming that there has been no funny business where the film’s 99% audience score is concerned.
In a statement for The Hollywood Reporter,the website said: ‘There has been NO manipulation on the audience reviews for the Melania documentary.
‘Reviews displayed on the Popcornmeter are VERIFIED reviews, meaning it has been verified that users have bought a ticket to the film through Fandango.’
Such reviews include one from user James F, who called the film (and woman) ‘the epitome of style, grace and elegance.’
‘Our theatre was sold out and erupted in applause and cheers at the end of the show,’ wrote Jenn, while Linda claimed that ‘my friend who’s a Democrat enjoyed it too!!’
DT M described it as ‘heartwarming and informative,’ while Nancy G revealed how her screening also went from ‘clapping to cheering.’
One person who wasn’t cheering in the aisles was film critic Mark Kermode, who described it as ‘the most depressing experience I have ever had in the cinema.’
Meanwhile, The New Statesman called it ‘two hours of pure absence,’ as Empire Magazine likened its approach to ‘an obsequious, ring-kissing portrait of the current US administration.’
POV Magazine called it ‘pathetic,’ suggesting that its release was nought more than an attempt at ‘reputation-saving hokum.’
Commenting for Metro, writer Kimberley Bond described her own experience at a near-empty UK cinema.
‘And take it from someone who suffered through it – this film is bad,’ Bond penned, describing it as ‘vacuous, empty, and devoid of any emotional heft.’
This sense of discord has spread onto the streets, where it has been reported that billboards in Los Angeles have been defaced.
This includes one graffiti campaign which appears to show them defecating on the American flag.
A spokesperson for the art group Indecline told Rolling Stone: ‘We’re calling it Melania Gives a Shit About America?
‘We have a 25-year history of climbing up on advertisements all over the country and doctoring them up in a number of ways, [because] we really do give a shit about this place.
‘Melania being an immigrant herself, and ironically, being married to the one who’s overseeing the kidnapping of immigrants and also the executions of U.S. citizens.’
Earlier this week, director Brett Ratner offered his explanation for his appearance in the latest Jeffrey Epstein file dump.
In one image released by the US Department of Justice, the Rush Hour 3 filmmaker appeared next to Epstein and two women whose faces had been redacted.
During a subsequent interview with Fox News Digital, Ratner explained that one of the mystery women was an unnamed former fiancée.
‘About 20 years ago, I had a girlfriend. I was in love with her. We were engaged. She was my fiancée. We went to an event, and we were sitting on the couch, and the photo was taken at that event,’ Ratner explained.
He then insisted that he ‘didn’t have a close personal relationship with’ and ‘didn’t know [Epstein].’
Melania is Ratner’s first major movie since he faced a series of sexual misconduct allegations in 2017.
Six women, including actors Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, accused the director of sexual assault and harassment. This includes allegations that he masturbated in front of Munn and forced Henstridge to perform oral sex on him.
Ratner’s lawyer at the time denied all allegations made against his client.
Melania is out in UK cinemas now.
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