In a recent episode of his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel raised eyebrows regarding the box office performance of the documentary *Melania*, which has reportedly raked in $7 million during its opening weekend. Directed by Brett Ratner, the film’s unexpected financial success has sparked scepticism, particularly as initial reports indicated that many theatres struggled to fill seats for the premiere.
Kimmel’s Concerns Over Ticket Sales
Kimmel opened the segment with a pointed commentary on the film, questioning how it managed to achieve such a significant box office figure when evidence suggested otherwise. “A lot of people, myself included, have been wondering how this movie managed to sell $7 million worth of tickets last weekend when almost every theatre seemed to be empty leading up to the release,” Kimmel stated, setting the tone for his critical analysis.
Reports had emerged prior to the film’s debut that indicated a lack of interest among audiences, casting doubt on the authenticity of the box office numbers. Kimmel referenced an article from the Daily Beast, which suggested that blocks of tickets may have been purchased en masse and distributed to Republican activists, jokingly equating them to senior citizens. “Imagine those poor senior citizens,” he quipped, painting a vivid picture of the film’s outreach strategy.
The Critics vs. The Audience
The disparity between critical reviews and audience reactions further fueled Kimmel’s scepticism. As of Wednesday evening, *Melania* held a mere 5% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, a figure Kimmel highlighted as shockingly low. “To put that in perspective, that is one percent lower than *Gigli*,” he remarked, referencing the notoriously panned 2003 film. In stark contrast, the audience score soared to an astonishing 99%, which Kimmel noted was one percent higher than *The Godfather*. He quipped, “I’m sure Donald J. Corleone had nothing to do with that at all.”
Kimmel’s humour underscored a serious concern about the credibility of the film’s reception, as he urged for an investigation into the matter. “We need to get to the bottom of this,” he declared, jokingly calling for an FBI inquiry into the film’s ticketing practices.
The Financial Landscape of *Melania*
Despite its initial box office figures, the future financial success of *Melania* remains uncertain. The documentary, which reportedly cost Amazon MGM $40 million to acquire, has an additional marketing budget of $35 million. Critics like Nick Hilton have not held back, with Hilton describing the film as “a preening, scowling void of pure nothingness in this ghastly bit of propaganda” in his one-star review for The Independent.
At the film’s premiere event, Donald Trump downplayed concerns regarding ticket sales, suggesting that the pandemic has transformed the cinema landscape. “It’s a very tough business in theatres selling movie tickets after Covid,” he noted. Trump expressed confidence that the film would excel in the streaming realm once it becomes available on Prime Video.
Why it Matters
The controversy surrounding *Melania* not only highlights the complexities of film marketing in the current climate but also underscores the broader implications of media manipulation and public perception. As audiences navigate a landscape rife with misinformation, the scrutiny of such high-profile projects becomes imperative. The disparity between critical and audience reception raises important questions about the influence of political affiliations in shaping public narratives, making this film a focal point in the ongoing discourse about media integrity and representation.
