Let’s not call Melania Trump’s film a documentary – Channel 4’s The Tony Blair Story is the real deal

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A fortunate coincidence led me to watch two political documentaries in a row. Both films focus on well-known, controversial people and offer a look behind the scenes at where decisions are made. However, beyond that, the films are quite different.

Let’s start with Melania Trump. The recently released portrait, funded by Amazon, has received a lot of criticism. I wanted to see it for myself and form my own opinion. I saw it at a small cinema in Melbourne, and it was surprisingly full – mostly women, all seemingly wondering what the portrait would reveal about her.

The film immediately establishes Melania Trump as its central figure – her name appears constantly, reminiscent of Barbra Streisand’s film Yentl. She’s the producer, the star, and clearly the inspiration behind everything. After just fifteen minutes of watching her discuss shoulder pads with admiring stylists – specifically, the ones from her inauguration suit – I felt a strong urge to give myself a headache, perhaps with the infamous hatpin.

The rest of the film largely centers on Melania’s shoes – seen as she exits cars and planes, or enters her home – or the back of her head, showcasing her blonde hair and the way people quiet down when she’s near. It’s visually interesting as a study of image and symbolism, but symbols lose their power the longer you look at them. Like a new car losing value as soon as it’s driven off the lot, Melania’s impact fades over the film’s 104 minutes. It’s captivating, but it’s more of a stylized visual experience than a true documentary – think of it as a one-woman music video, reminiscent of Robert Palmer’s style.

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We’ve seen a lot of highly revealing documentaries recently, featuring celebrities like the Beckhams, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Taylor Swift – and we understand the pattern: allow full camera access and only speak positively. However, shouldn’t those closest to power – and Melania Trump is certainly among them – be held to a higher standard of accountability?

The film offers no insight into the woman’s motivations or choices. We aren’t given any explanation for her actions, and she doesn’t offer any herself. The closest we get is her husband describing her as challenging but unique. The film doesn’t explore how she reconciles her advocacy for others with her personal history as an immigrant, or how she defines herself as a feminist simply by prioritizing her marriage. In fact, everything she says leaves us with more questions than answers.

Unlike some other portrayals, Channel 4’s ‘The Tony Blair Story’ wasn’t made with Tony Blair’s direct involvement. He didn’t have any say in how it was edited and hadn’t seen it before its release. He’s simply one of many people interviewed – including family, allies, and opponents – all offering their perspectives on his life. While one hour focuses on his early career and success in modernizing the Labour Party and winning three elections, the majority of the program – two hours – is dedicated to the Iraq War and the circumstances surrounding his resignation as Prime Minister.

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-02-11 11:04