Greenwood Demands Melania Film Music Cut

Musical Score Dispute Erupts Over Melania Trump Documentary

A significant disagreement has emerged surrounding the use of a musical piece in the controversial documentary about former First Lady Melania Trump. Jonny Greenwood, the acclaimed musician from the band Radiohead and composer for the 2017 film Phantom Thread, alongside director Paul Thomas Anderson, has formally requested the removal of a segment of their film’s score from the documentary.

The core of the dispute lies in an alleged breach of contract. Representatives for Greenwood and Anderson stated that the inclusion of the music in the Melania Trump documentary was not authorised and contravened the composer’s agreement. While Greenwood himself may not hold the copyright for the entire score, the film’s distributor, Universal, is accused of failing to consult with him regarding this third-party usage. This oversight, according to Greenwood’s legal team, constitutes a breach of his composer agreement, prompting the demand for the music’s excision from the documentary. Attempts to solicit comments from Amazon MGM Studios and Universal have been made.

The specific piece of music in question is a lengthy excerpt from “Barbara Rose,” a composition created by Greenwood for Paul Thomas Anderson’s critically lauded film Phantom Thread. This film, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, garnered significant critical attention and received six Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Original Score.

The documentary, helmed by director Brett Ratner, offers a glimpse into the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration, focusing on Melania Trump’s activities. Despite a lukewarm critical reception, the film has surprisingly outperformed box office expectations, particularly in its initial release. This success is partly attributed to organised efforts by Republican women’s groups, who have formed a substantial portion of the audience.

Behind the Scenes of the Documentary

• Filming: The documentary captures Melania Trump engaging with stylists, interior designers, and political associates.
• Key Moments: The narrative culminates with scenes of the former First Lady accompanying her husband at his swearing-in ceremony.

While the film’s box office performance has been better than anticipated, it faces an uphill battle to recoup the substantial investment made by Amazon MGM. The studio reportedly paid $40 million for the distribution rights and an additional $35 million for marketing, making it one of the most expensive documentaries ever produced. This considerable financial outlay has fuelled speculation within the industry, with some suggesting that Amazon’s acquisition of the film was motivated by a desire to cultivate a closer relationship with then-US President Donald Trump.

The project also marked the return of director Brett Ratner, known for the Rush Hour franchise. Ratner relocated to Israel in 2017 following numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not faced any criminal charges.

Critical Reception and Artistic Contributions

The film has been met with widespread critical condemnation. Nick Hilton of The Independent delivered a scathing one-star review, questioning the very nature of the film: “Perhaps Melania is merely a piece of post-modern post-entertainment. After all, it is transparently not a documentary.” Hilton further elaborated on his critique, noting that Melania Trump appeared to be playing a “staged version of herself” for much of the runtime. He likened the cinematography to the deliberate style Ratner employed in films like X-Men: The Last Stand, suggesting a blend of reality television and pure fiction.

In recent years, Jonny Greenwood has increasingly focused on film scoring, contributing to the soundtracks of numerous acclaimed movies. His recent work includes scores for films such as There Will Be Blood and Licorice Pizza, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and sought-after composer in the cinematic landscape.