The Apprentice - The Trump Story

The title "The Apprentice" refers both to Donald Trump's TV show and to Trump's relationship with his mentor, Roy Cohn. The film is neither a takedown piece nor a glowing testimonial. It's much more nuanced and complicated than that.

The first half of the film takes place in 1973. Donald Trump is collecting rent from deadbeat tenants. He and his father are being sued by the Justice Department for housing discrimination. Their lawyers are urging them to settle the suit and move on. But then, a twenty-seven-year-old Trump meets Roy Cohn. A shady character on the fringe of rightwing politics (he made his name as lead counsel for Joseph McCarthy's communist witch hunt), Cohn recommends that the Trumps seize the initiative and countersue the federal government. With Cohn in charge, the case goes away with no admission of wrongdoing. Cohn also guides Trump through the machinations of NYC politics, helping him take over a boarded-up Commodore Hotel, secure tax abatements from city government and ultimately transform the property into the Hyatt Hotel at Grand Central Station. Along the way, Cohn teaches an impressionable Trump his three rules: 1) attack, attack, attack, 2) deny everything, admit nothing, 3) no matter what actually happens, always claim victory.

The last half of the film is set in the early 1980s. Trump opens his namesake Tower. He becomes convinced that Atlantic City's casinos will be his path to untold riches. And he hires a writer to pen "The Art of the Deal." By this point, he has fully mastered the art of self-promotion.

At its core, "The Apprentice" is an origin story. Iranian-Danish Director Ali Abbasi ("Holy Spider," "Border") and "Vanity Fair" writer Gabriel Sherman argue persuasively that Trump was molded, almost created, by Roy Cohn. But Cohn's influence eventually wanes. Even as Trump's star ascends in the 80's, Cohn is disgraced (he's disbarred for stealing from clients) and marginalized. He eventually dies of AIDS (although he claimed to his dying breath that he was suffering from liver cancer). By the time "The Art of the Deal" is published, Trump has decided that Cohn's three rules and his own fame were based on Trump's ideas all along.

Director Abbasi also points out the weird confluence of factors that have helped Trump flourish: a ruthless, winner-take-all version of capitalism that deifies those who succeed; a legal system easily manipulated by the rich to crush opponents or to postpone their own day of reckoning (after screening at Cannes, this film received a "cease and desist" order from Trump's attorneys); a US political system that has no idea how to constrain an individual who operates according to Cohn's three rules.

The acting here is superb. As Roy Cohn, Jeremy Strong (Kendall on TV's "Succession") is simply mesmerizing. He compellingly embodies the internal contradictions of Cohn, a lawyer who shows complete disdain for the legal system, a Jewish man who embraces antisemitism, a closeted gay man who publicly demeans homosexuality at every opportunity. Sebastian Stan (Marvel series) as Trump and Oscar-nominated Maria Bakalova ("Borat" sequel) also are worthy of note.

"The Apprentice" is certain to annoy those who love Trump as well as those who love to hate him. It's an origin story that offers a scathing assessment of American culture and American politics. It demonstrates persuasively that one of America's most unique and distinctive personalities - and the rules that animate him - were actually crafted, molded and created by somebody else.

The Apprentice is a standard issue biopic that covers as much of Donald Trump's rise as possible. What makes it better than that sounds are the strong performances and stylish filmmaking, which elevate it into something more memorable. A supervillain origin story is an extremely fitting description for a film that's main ambition is to show how a monster was created and lost any shred of humanity that was there to begin with.

Sebastian Stan gives an amazing performance shortly after his phenomenal performance in A Different Man, proving he's the best actor currently working in and out of the MCU. He nails the look, mannerisms, and bullish personality of Trump and comes closer to looking like him as it goes along. Jeremy Strong was born to play roles like this due to his ability to convey a dominant and unflinching presence with ease, plus it's not his first time doing this either.

Ali Abbasi's direction has a strong grasp of the tone as Stan taking the final step into his Trump transformation is horrifying in more ways than one and uses Kasper Tuxen's frenetic documentary style cinematography to bring a lot of energy to the proceedings. The soundtrack contains some appropriately lively songs to keep that energy going and the score by Brian Irvine, Martin Dirkov and David Holmes doesn't sound how you'd expect, which works in its favour.

I don't really get who this movie is for. If you like Donald Trump, why would you watch this? The Apprentice depicts the worst version you could imagine of Trump, if one is to take the film's presentation as all based in fact. If you dislike Donald Trump, why would you watch this? I can't imagine someone who hates Trump choosing to spend 2 hours with Trump in the context of a film. I think this movie came out at the absolute worst possible time and would've been better suited for years or decades down the road. Though it doesn't offer much kick, it offers a dark and relevant portrait of the minds of those able to game the US in their favour. The movie doesn't attribute any grand or personal motivations to their pursuits for power. But I think that may be true about power hungry people: they're just empty, clawing and climbing because they don't know what else to do with themselves. It's an interesting portrait of Trump because it doesn't sensationalize, just lets you sit with how pathetic he is. Shows you what he wouldn't want you to see which is the careful construction of a personality that he markets as authentic. Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong are both excellent here. Stan embodies Trump from a much deeper place than an impression would give, and Strong is calmly terrifying with his zombied eyes. The movie works because of these performances.

The film's director said in a recent interview that he wasn't sure if this film would enhance or detract from Donald Trump's reputation...

Having watched it, I'm not sure either...

I was initially attracted to this film as an MCU fan. Donald Trump is played by Sebastian Stan who is Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier in Marvel films. He does not disappoint as the US President to be...

The movie certainly starts off by making Trump look more human than perhaps he or some of the media have in the last few years...

How he's changed by the apprenticeship under Roy Cohn & the money & the power is certainly one of the themes...

The shots of him in the 80's that are made to look grainy like 80's TV are a nice touch...

If I have one criticism (which is why I gave it a 7) it is that the screenwriter didn't seem to know how to end it...

But it's worth watching just to see how well Donald Trump, Roy Cohn & Ivana Trump are portrayed... and how they are developed through the film...

Sebastian Stan's portrayal of a young Donald Trump is so compelling that it effectively immerses the audience in the character, making it easy to forget that he is an actor. His precise use of body language and facial expressions contributes significantly to the authenticity of the characterization.

Jeremy Strong's performance as Roy Cohn is exceptional, showcasing a commanding screen presence that often eclipses that of the protagonist. His portrayal has not only captivated audiences but also successfully garnered him a new fanbase, which still would be an understatement of the impact his role has had.

Maria Bakalova's portrayal of Ivana Trump effectively captures the audience's attention whenever she appears on screen. Her nuanced performance brings depth and authenticity to the character with ability to convey both strength and vulnerability - transforming what could have been a weak link in the cast into a strong fit that enhances the overall dynamics of the ensemble.

Martin Donovan, Catherine McNally, and Ben Sullivan deliver outstanding performances as strong supporting pillars, ensuring that the narrative remains cohesive. Their contributions create a compelling backdrop that enhances the overall storytelling, making it impossible for the audience to overlook their presence.

Jeremy Strong and Sebastian Stan deliver a powerful performance as a duo, leaving a lasting impact that lingers well beyond the film's conclusion. Their portrayals skillfully illustrate the transition of power dynamics from Roy Cohn to Donald Trump, showcasing their equal mastery in navigating this complex evolving relationship with remarkable finesse and equal depth.

Ali Abbasi captures the essence of 1970s and '80s New York through meticulous direction and a keen eye for visual detail. His use of muted tones and warm hues evokes the gritty yet vibrant atmosphere of the era, while dynamic camera movements and carefully framed shots immerse the audience in the city's streets and intimate settings. This blend of realism and stylization authentically portrays not only transports viewers back in time but also highlights the emotional and social complexities of life in New York during this transformative period, creating a film that resonates with nostalgia and offers a fresh historical perspective.

Sum up - "The Apprentice" presents a captivating fusion of upbeat humor and thrilling narrative elements, engaging viewers from beginning to end. The sharpness in direction ensures a dynamic pacing that maintains audience interest throughout. Additionally, the visual aesthetics not only complement the narrative but also enhance the emotional resonance of the story, drawing the audience deeper into the film's atmosphere.

Character development is handled with care, offering relatable figures whose interactions evoke both humor and depth. This multifaceted approach allows for an emotional connection that elevates the narrative, making the film both entertaining and meaningful.

Overall, "The Apprentice" stands out in its genre as an upbeat and engaging film, skillfully combining humor with thrilling elements. These compelling combinations ensure that audiences are not just passive observers but active participants in the story, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction and anticipation for what lies ahead. As a result, "The Apprentice" emerges as a memorable film that resonates long after the credits roll.