Imagine an alternative universe: Melania Knauss instead of Kate Middleton standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Slovenians would be the proudest nation in the galaxy at that moment. Luka Dončić? He would just be a cute footnote under the news about her new tiara. But since our Sevnica native is married to "that" Donald, we have a problem. Yesterday I watched the infamous documentary about Melania and the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States - and my dears, it's time to pour ourselves some neat wine.
Let's be honest before we get to the film. The problem is not Melania, the problem is called Slovenian national pathology. In 1991, we proudly entered democracy and received new, blue passports, but we did not make the necessary software update in our heads. We are trapped in a time where every success is suspect unless confirmed by the right "option".
Melania is living proof of this paradox. And what's most painful – she knows it crystal clear. Although she doesn't directly state in the documentary that she comes from a "former communist country", it's a narrative that holds strong in the background and gives meaning to her journey. The irony is perfect: We have the first lady of the world, and we act like we're still mad at our neighbor for buying a new tractor. Pure, distilled jealousy wrapped in moral grandeur. You have to see the film just to see a world that isn't filtered by the agenda-driven editors who feed you the evening news.
Visual Poetry: Hollywood Glamour in the White House
If we look at the film through the eyes of a film critic – let's say I regularly write for “City Magazine"film criticism column - is a documentary visually impressive. The cinematography is on par with high-budget productions. The camera transitions are fluid, the lighting is divine, and Melania acts like a absolute queen of the worldThe aesthetics of the film are undeniable; it is a director's cut of the inauguration, offering a behind-the-scenes look that our media is silent about.
The director managed to capture that rare sparkle that we usually see only in feature films about the British royal family. We see elegance, power and style that is, frankly, timeless. Slovenia is mentioned twice in this visual mosaic: once through top quality crystal from Rogaška Slatina, and secondly in the part where Melania talks about the beginnings of her career.
When the pace stops: Too much sugar, not enough substance?
However, every medal, even the presidential one, has two sides. Despite its visual perfection, the film suffers from repetition syndrome. These excessively "filmic" shots, where Melania just walks or stares into the distance to the accompaniment of dramatic music, are simply too many at a certain point.
In the middle of the film, the documentary seems to stop. It loses its proper pace and rhythm. The viewer waits for catharsis, for a big denouement, but all they get is another aesthetic shot of the White House chandelier. The main criticism? The film leaves the feeling at the end that we haven't learned anything really new about Melania. She remains an enigma. It doesn't reveal her innermost thoughts or offer the juicy "insider" material you might expect. The secret remains carefully guarded under layers of expensive silk.
Details that say more than a thousand words
But where the film really shines is... are micro moments. You have to pay attention to the details. The touch of the hand between the president and Melania, the fleeting glance, the body language when they think no one is watching. These are moments that the rest of the media has successfully hidden or cut out.
There, in those seconds, lies the truth of their relationship. We see the chemistry and alliance that shatter the narrative of "to catch a woman"This is the part that will anger critics and delight romantics the most.
Final verdict: 7.5/10 (and mandatory homework)
If we draw a line, I would give the film a rating between 7 and 7.5.. For a documentary genre of this type, this is a solid assessment. It is not a cinematic masterpiece of the century, but it is far from the kitsch that some have predicted. Although there are completely too many "golden" details in it "for" my taste.
So why should you watch it? If you're American, for the politics. If you're a fashionista, for the clothes. But if you're Slovenian, watching this movie is your civic duty. Not to love Trump, but to confront your own reflection in the mirror. To see what happens when a girl from Sevnica takes over the world, and we're still debating whether her English is good enough. It's not - but that's not the point of this documentary.
Get your popcorn ready and open your mind. The show is about to begin.
