The first lady’s political goals, high-stakes clothes fittings and hints that she and Donald still have sex are just some of the highlights from Brett Ratner’s documentary
Melania’s appears an entirely airless existence, in which she glides solo about gilt corridors in absolute silence, David Lynch-style, observed by tight-lipped heavies. All her staff dress in deference to her, mostly in black, but sometimes – as in the case of her interior designer – in a matching camel-coloured three-piece suit. Candidates interviewing for assistant roles have also got the memo, lining up in a sea of monochrome, with buttery hair and prominent cross necklaces.
About 30% of the film is devoted to high-stakes fittings for her inauguration outfits. “My creative vision is always clear and it’s my responsibility to share it with my team so they can bring it to life,” Melania explains in voiceover. This translates to her telling them to cinch stuff in. “More tension, tighter,” she commands about a collar. A coat needs to skim nearer her hips. A hat brim is reprimanded as “a little bit wiggly-woggly”. “I don’t know if we can cut it,” frets one assistant tailor about a blouse, to stressed violins on the soundtrack.
