As a cinephile who has witnessed the rise and fall of many a cinematic icon, I must say that The Apprentice stands out as a truly unique and captivating film. It delves deep into the life of a man who casts an enormous shadow over our contemporary landscape – none other than Donald J. Trump.
The Apprentice” offers an intriguing examination of the formative business years of Donald Trump set in New York City, with a captivating central portrayal by Sebastian Stan.
Over the past ten years, Donald Trump has left an indelible mark on both politics and culture, unlike any other individual. Prior to this period, he was widely recognized as a successful real estate tycoon who subsequently transitioned into a prominent figure in reality television.
At one point, Donald was merely known as “Fred Trump’s son,” spending his days chasing up late rental payments in Coney Island and yearning for his father’s notice.
The Apprentice seeks to elucidate the journey by which a man amassed the instruments and expertise to ascend as President of the United States, all within a narrative that encapsulates the corrupted essence of the American Dream.
What is The Apprentice about?
The TV series “The Apprentice” delves into approximately ten years of Donald Trump’s life, a period in which he transformed from a relatively unknown figure into a more significant and impactful individual.
Despite his father’s significant achievements climbing the property ladder in New York, Donald initially began at the bottom. However, when Fred Sr. encountered legal troubles, Donald recognized a chance to assist by enlisting the help of formidable attorney Roy Cohn, portrayed by Jeremy Strong.
Initially, Cohn ridicules and intimidates Trump, yet he also discovers a quality in him that intrigues him, finding Donald appealing – on a personal level possibly, without a doubt on a professional one – and consequently decides to mentor the eager up-and-comer.
Thus, a friendship develops; one that takes center stage in The Apprentice, and evolves throughout the film as Cohn assumes roles such as mentor, father figure, manipulator, and eventually creator of monsters. By the end of the movie, the Donald Trump character is prepared to confront the world, regardless of the price he must pay.
Attack, attack, attack
In my opinion, watching The Apprentice felt like an exhilarating journey throughout most of its duration. It had the charm of a timeless tale about an underdog, albeit one who began with wealth.
Donald Trump is eager for more, driven by an intense focus on prestige and achievement. He takes steps and seals agreements, with Cohn standing by him all along.
According to Cohn, there’s a strategy for achieving greatness, and it involves relentless action (keep attacking), never acknowledging fault or wrongdoing (deny everything), and always projecting an image of success (claim victories and never concede defeat).
As a devoted admirer, I’d rephrase that as follows: The principles initially espoused by Roy Cohn serve as a foundation for Donald, but since truth can be flexible in Donald’s perspective, these ideas transform into Donald’s personal mottos and the cornerstones upon which he constructs his business empire. Beyond the narrative unfolding before us, they also shape his political journey.
The film suggests that Trump’s aggressive nature had been present all along, but it also traces Cohn’s influence as a direct path leading to the White House.
Donald Trump finds love
Beyond delving into the Trump-Cohn bond, which appears to stem from a deep fondness and mutual dependence, The Apprentice also explores another significant love in Donald’s life.
In 1976, Trump encountered Ivana Marie Zelníčková (Maria Bakalova) in New York during an evening out, sparking a passionate whirlwind romance that culminated in marriage the following year. As their respective careers flourished, they became frequent subjects of tabloid headlines.
Love between two people can seldom be smooth-sailing, and this is particularly true when one of them is Donald Trump. The relationship depicted is complex, driven by his jealousy and narcissism, and ultimately disintegrated due to disagreements, conflicts, and in a scene that leaves the audience stunned, sexual misconduct.
During this time, Don’s inner doubts become more noticeable. He gains weight significantly, while his hair thins out, and Trump resorts to medication and surgeries in an attempt to slow down the impacts of aging and excessive living.
Trump’s life was additionally affected by his brother Fred Jr.’s struggle with alcoholism and untimely death at age 42, along with the persistent conflicts he had with their father Fred Sr. These events fueled Donald’s drive forward but also cast a lingering shadow in his continuous pursuit to gain his father’s affection.
Sebastian Stan delivers a remarkable performance
The Apprentice showcases both the career triumphs and personal struggles during a tumultuous time in Donald Trump’s life. This offers an excellent platform for Sebastian Stan’s abilities, and he indeed gives a truly exceptional portrayal.
Initially, Donald’s personality is endearing and even romantic towards Ivana. However, in the new film, there’s a gradual yet noticeable transformation. It’s not instant, but it becomes apparent once the apprentice confronts the master. At this point, his character solidifies into a power-hungry monster, revealing his megalomaniacal nature.
In this portrayal, Jeremy Strong perfectly mirrors Cohn’s actions throughout the movie, but instead of constructing Donald Trump like Stan does, Strong is tasked with dismantling Cohn’s character. He accomplishes this with remarkable subtlety and talent, making his complex character so compelling that by the end of the film, viewers find themselves empathizing with this unique kind of monster.
Is The Apprentice good?
The Apprentice depicts the escalating success story of Donald Trump, yet it can be viewed as a modern-day retelling of the Faust legend, where two cunning characters strike a bargain, and ultimately, only one emerges victorious.
From that perspective, it’s a profoundly sad and unsettling story, revealing the grim aspects of the American Dream. However, amidst all the sorrow, it’s surprisingly entertaining as well.
In a gritty, rebellious style reminiscent of punk culture, Director Ali Abassi captures events in such a way that initially seems sympathetic towards Donald Trump, especially during the film’s opening moments where it gives the impression he’s challenging authority. However, it later becomes clear that Trump himself embodies power and authority in these scenes.
As a gamer, let me tell you, The Apprentice is a riot! Sherman’s dialogue is packed with witty one-liners that had me chuckling, and he cleverly uses hindsight to milk laughs from references to Russia or Roger Stone appearances. Scenes that made me laugh out loud in the moment, only for the gravity of what was unfolding later to sink in.
The Apprentice score: 4/5
As I dive into this game, let me share that it’s not just your typical American horror story. It’s a clever blend of comedy, deep character analysis, and a chilling warning wrapped in one. Balancing these elements is quite a challenge, much like the man whose tale forms its foundation – complex, intriguing, and sometimes perplexing.
This review is from a Fantastic Fest screening. The Apprentice hits US screens on October 11, 2024, while it’s out in the UK on October 18. Until then, check out the new movies coming to streaming this month.
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2024-10-10 15:26