Melania Trump's new Amazon documentary reviewed: More outfit changes than The Devil Wears Prada... but we're no nearer to unravelling the mystery of the First Lady

Melania (Amazon)

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A stiletto heel is the first glimpse we see of the movie's striking star, followed by a slender ankle before the camera pans up to reveal her shapely figure as she tosses her blonde hair, dons sunglasses and boards a private jet.

It could so easily be the opening scene of a Real Housewives episode but, instead, it's a new documentary about America's First Lady, Melania Trump, which opened in cinemas yesterday.

Despite becoming First Lady for the second time in 2025, Mrs Trump has always been something of a mystery. The impression she gives - certainly to those of us outside the US - is that of a very polished trophy wife, one who looks sensational but rarely speaks and somehow lacks the personality of Michelle Obama or the ambition of Hillary Clinton.

But perhaps that assessment is unfair and this will be the film that reveals the woman behind those icy blue eyes. 'Everyone wants to know, so here it is,' promises the Slovenian-born former model, as a film crew follows her in the 20 days leading up to the inauguration of her husband.

The movie is made by Amazon MGM, owned by Jeff Bezos (who can forget him and bra-flashing wife Lauren Sanchez sitting front and centre at Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony?). Amazon are said to have paid $40million (£29million) for the rights, with $28million going directly to the First Lady - not a bad earner, even by Donald's standards.

Early scenes show Mrs Trump overseeing arrangements for the many inauguration events as well as decorating the White House to her taste. All this takes place at the family's blingtastic apartment at Trump Tower, New York, which looks like it was interior-designed by Midas himself.

An overwhelming amount of the film's one hour and 44 minutes is dedicated to Melania's inauguration outfits, in particular her memorable navy suit with wide-brimmed hat. We see her work with long-time stylist Herve Pierre as they nip in the waist, widen the lapels and, at Melania's request, make the hat less 'wiggly wobbly'.

She certainly has an impressive wardrobe - there's got to be more outfit changes than in The Devil Wears Prada. But surely Mrs Trump wants to be seen as something other than a glamorous clothes horse? She talks about her work with children, and we see her on a video call to Brigitte Macron and at a meeting with Queen Rania of Jordan, but it all just feels a little superficial and shallow. The President appears in several scenes but it's mostly to tell the world how attractive his wife is and what a nice wardrobe she has.

There are certainly no revealing peeks into their 21-year marriage. 'You're beautiful, you're like a movie star,' he booms as he greets her on the tarmac at an airfield. At an inauguration planning meeting, he asks: 'Have you got a good dress?' They are heard on the phone, including one call where Melania admits that she didn't see the announcement of his election victory, promising to watch it later on the news. (I bet she didn't.)

As for seeing a new side to Melania, anyone hoping for glimpses of her in her dressing gown and slippers as she pours a bowl of Rice Krispies for Barron will be disappointed. Her 19-year-old son barely features, and doesn't utter a word on screen.

Admittedly she talks movingly about grieving for her mother, who died two years ago, and there are glimpses of a fun side when she's caught boogeying to Village People's YMCA at a ball. But mostly it feels scripted, stilted and desperately lacking in warmth.

Amazon's decision to give the film a limited cinema release ahead of streaming does not appear to have paid off. 

Ticket sales have been a disaster both here and in the States. At my 300-seater cinema there were only four of us watching, and one of those left before the end.

As a producer, Melania had full editorial control. Therein lies the problem. Whether it's Harry and Meghan or the Beckhams, when the subjects have the final say, the content is never going to be juicy.

It all ends with Melania, exhausted from 22 hours of inauguration events, arriving at the White House. 

She kicks of her heels, refuses food and sits primly on the sofa. Had she slipped into trackie bottoms, whipped her bra off through her sleeve and ordered a pizza it might just have made her seem a little more human.