Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Critique ‘Melania’ as Box Office Disappoints
On a recent episode of The Late Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel discussed the box office performance of the documentary “Melania: Twenty Days to History.” The film, which focuses on Melania Trump, reportedly generated $7 million in its opening weekend, a figure higher than early predictions that estimated revenues between $1 million and $5 million.
Stephen Colbert’s Take on the Box Office Numbers
Colbert pointed out that while $7 million appears to be significant, it pales in comparison to the production cost. “That’s less than 10 percent of the $75 million Amazon invested in the documentary,” he noted. This figure includes at least $28 million paid to Melania Trump herself. Colbert humorously remarked about the absurdity of the situation, referencing a Melania Trump impersonator who attempted to clarify the film’s message.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Critique
Kimmel also weighed in on the film’s performance during his monologue. He highlighted that “Melania” holds a mere 5 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it below the infamous 2003 movie “Gigli.” In a surprising contrast, he shared that the audience approval score is a remarkable 99 percent, even exceeding that of the classic “The Godfather.” Kimmel quipped that Donald Trump had no influence on that outcome.
Financial Implications and Satirical Observations
- Box Office Revenue: $7 million
- Production Cost: $75 million
- Estimated Payment to Melania Trump: $28 million
- Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics): 5 percent
- Audience Score: 99 percent
- Comparison Film: Gigli (2003) – 4 percent
- Classic Film: The Godfather – 98 percent
Kimmel humorously suggested that Amazon’s claims of achieving the best nonmusical documentary opening in 14 years might be misleading. “This is a fancy way of saying it only lost tens of millions of dollars,” he said. He even joked about the possibility that Republican groups could have inflated ticket sales by buying tickets in bulk.
Criticism of Amazon’s Leadership
During the interchange, Kimmel took a moment to criticize Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, particularly in the context of staff layoffs at The Washington Post. He noted the irony of financing a project like “Melania” while simultaneously downsizing the news outlet.
The humorous critiques from Colbert and Kimmel shed light on the film’s mixed reviews and financial outcomes. The documentary’s significant budget and surprisingly low critical reception stand in stark contrast to its audience approval rating, creating a unique discussion point for viewers.
