"Melania," the biopic about the current First Lady, hit theaters this week, but has fared as well among critics as Walter Mondale did in the 1984 presidential election. Currently, the movie has a 5% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. "It’s one of those rare, unicorn films that doesn’t have a single redeeming quality," writes Xan Brooks of The Guardian, which gave the movie zero (0) stars.
"By the end of 'Melania,' a glossy, curiously impersonal, outwardly apolitical portrait of Melania Trump, you are no closer to knowing its famous subject than you were at the start, even after many changes of time, place, clothes and towering high heels," writes Manohla Dargis of The New York Times.
But what if you're itching to watch a movie about a woman at the highest levels of power? Here are three movies like "Melania," but much better received by critics and audiences alike.
'Jackie'
You could fill a library with what's been written about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, but "Jackie" focuses on a few specific days following the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963. The First Lady is portrayed by Natalie Portman, who has to balance the grief she feels at the death of her husband with the need to present a brave public face to the world — and help preserve the family legacy.
Also starring Peter Sarsgaard as Robert Kennedy and Greta Gerwig as Nancy Tuckerman, "Jackie" came out in 2016 and has been treated more favorably by critics than audiences, with an 87% Tomatometer score and a 60% Popcornmeter score.
Rent or buy on Prime Video or Apple TV
'Spencer'
Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Starring Kristen Stewart, this film follows Diana as she decides to end her marriage to Prince Charles, in one of the more momentous events to befall the royal family. Apart from Stewart, this is a thoroughly British production, with Sean Harris ("Mission: Impossible) and Sally Hawkins ("The Shape of Water") among the cast.
Critics generally enjoyed this film, as it has an 83% Tomatometer rating, though just 52% of viewers liked it — perhaps a reflection of how people in general feel about the House of Windsor.
Rent "Spencer" on Apple TV
'Becoming'
"Becoming" is a look at another recent resident of the White House. Based on the book by the same name, this documentary looks back at Michelle Obama's life, from her upbringing to her time as the First Lady, while she goes on a tour to promote her book.
"Becoming," a Netflix-original movie, was a hit with critics and audiences alike in 2020, receiving a 93% Tomatometer score and a 77% Popcornmeter score.
Stream "Becoming" on Netflix
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