Cast: Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, Martin Donovan, Catherine McNally, Charlie Carrick, Ben Sullivan, Mark Rendall, Joe Pingue, Jim Monaco, Bruce Beaton, Ian D. Clark
Director: Ali Abbasi
Pros:
- Strong Performances: Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong excel in their roles.
- Atmospheric Setting: Captures the gritty feel of 1970s and ’80s New York.
- Historical Insight: Detailed account of Trump’s rise and the era’s corruption.
Cons:
- Lack of Originality: Overly familiar tropes and settings.
- Indecisive Direction: Lacks a clear, compelling narrative on Trump.
- Underutilized Characters: Key figures like Cohn and Ivana are not fully explored.
- Limited Impact: Sticks too closely to known facts, offering little new.
Verdict: The Apprentice delivers strong performances and a well-crafted atmosphere but lacks originality and a decisive narrative, making it a competent yet unremarkable biographical drama.
Rating: 3/5
‘The Apprentice’ Full Review
What made Donald Trump such a controversial figure? This question is at the heart of The Apprentice, which looks at Trump’s rise in the real estate business during the 1970s and ’80s. The film tries to find the roots of his ruthless behavior and huge ego but doesn’t quite succeed.
Sebastian Stan plays a young, insecure Trump well, and Jeremy Strong is convincing as his harsh lawyer and mentor Roy Cohn. However, director Ali Abbasi’s first English-language film, despite its careful approach, doesn’t offer a clear view of the man whose greed and ambition eventually took him to the White House.
This movie tells the story of a dark deal. A young, ambitious person is taught by a ruthless mentor to cast aside morals, ethics, and compassion. The student eventually becomes even more cold and calculating than their teacher.
Although the film includes a disclaimer that some parts are fictionalized, most of the screenplay is based on known facts. This could be seen as a drawback, as many viewers might question the purpose of a movie that doesn’t provide new insights.
This movie isn’t very creative. It copies the style of directors like Scorsese and Coppola. They even have a cliche scene where the main character’s loser older brother, Fred, gets embarrassingly drunk and cries at a fancy event. The director, Abbasi, also falls into a common trap of romanticizing the dirty and gritty underbelly of 1970s New York.
Beyond the specific portrayal of Donald Trump (played by Sebastian Stan) and his mentor Roy Cohn (played by Jeremy Strong), the movie explores the broader theme of America’s moral decline.
The film spans from the corrupt end of the Nixon era, marked by increased cynicism, through the Reagan years and the rise of corporate greed. This period emphasized the idea that only “winners” matter and mocked “losers.” Trump learns from Cohn that the world is divided into “killers” and “losers,” taking this harsh distinction even further.
When we first see Donald Trump (played by Sebastian Stan) in the mid-1970s, he is an ambitious newcomer in New York’s real estate scene. He meets the feared and unethical lawyer Roy Cohn (played by Jeremy Strong).
Cohn takes Trump under his wing, teaching him to always attack his enemies, claim victory, and never admit fault. With Cohn’s help, Trump quickly expands his business empire and marries the glamorous socialite Ivana Zelnickova (played by Maria Bakalova).
Sebastian Stan does a decent job portraying a young Donald Trump, particularly with his hair and makeup. However, Jeremy Strong is far more captivating and intimidating as Cohn. Strong’s peculiar stillness and piercing stare make a strong impression, especially when he confronts Trump in an exclusive club and later in the restroom.
The energy of the scene intensifies whenever Strong is present, though he doesn’t appear often enough. His chilling line, “If you’re indicted, you’re invited!” at a shady party in his lavish townhouse highlights his menacing presence.
As Cohn, Strong delivers a stripped-down yet fierce performance. Unfortunately, once Cohn contracts AIDS in the ’80s, he fades from the storyline, depriving the film of one of its most compelling dynamics.
There’s something truly sad about Roy’s final sickness and how Donald, despite everything, treated him terribly. The movie almost captures a feeling of quiet acceptance, even though it’s clear Donald is being mean and selfish. This idea is a little obvious though, especially in the scene where Roy talks to Ivana.
The film also explores Trump’s personal life, showing how he persistently pursues Ivana (played by Maria Bakalova) until she finally agrees to date him. After several rejections, she gives in, and they eventually marry. Initially, she refuses to sign the prenuptial agreement drawn up by Cohn but later agrees.
Their wedding is a grand social event, and Ivana becomes involved in the extravagant design of Trump Tower. They have children, but even before the tower is completed, Trump shifts his focus to Atlantic City’s casinos. Despite convincing Cohn of his expertise, these ventures eventually go bankrupt.
Their marriage deteriorates, and Trump admits to Ivana that he is no longer attracted to her when she tries to initiate intimacy. She reacts angrily, insulting him by calling him fat, ugly, bald, and orange-faced. This leads to a physical encounter where they have rough sex on the floor.
The nature of this encounter is ambiguous, suggesting rape. This scene may become controversial, especially considering the sexual assault accusations against Trump and his loss in the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit.
The movie suggests that Cohn, often seen as equally monstrous, eventually realized with horror the consequences of mentoring Trump. However, this claim feels weak and seems like a forced attempt at dramatic tension. Overall, the film presents Trump but struggles to leave a distinctive impression on his character.