A Film Review

The Apprentice (2024), directed by the award-winning Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi, delivers a provocative and incisive portrayal of Donald Trump’s formative years during the 1970s and 80s. The film centers around Trump’s association with Roy Cohn, the notorious lawyer known for his ruthlessness and his role as chief counsel to Senator Joseph McCarthy during the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950s. Cohn first gained prominence for his successful prosecution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, leading to their execution for espionage in the early 1950s. Despite being a closeted gay man who ultimately died of AIDS, Cohn wielded immense influence within conservative circles, becoming a master manipulator of legal and political systems.

Romanian-American actor Sebastian Stan takes on the role of the young, ambitious Trump, delivering a powerful and compelling performance. Jeremy Strong embodies the morally corrupt Roy Cohn, bringing to life the unscrupulous lawyer’s teachings that would shape Trump’s approach to life. Maria Bakalova portrays Ivana Trump, giving depth to her role as Trump’s first wife, and showcasing the complexities of their relationship. Critics have lauded the performances of Stan and Strong, with both actors being touted as potential award contenders.

Screenwriter Gabriel Sherman incorporates elements of Trump’s own recorded dialogue and writings, lending authenticity to the portrayal of Trump’s character and personality. The film traces Trump’s early efforts to gain his father’s approval in the family’s real estate business, which begins with Trump being tasked with rent collection in his father’s housing empire. It then zeroes in on a pivotal moment in Trump’s career—the racial discrimination lawsuit against him and his father, which introduces Trump to Roy Cohn. In the film, Cohn imparts his notorious lessons to Trump: attack anyone who criticizes you, never admit fault, and always create your own version of reality. These principles, as the film suggests, became Trump’s core tactics in business, politics, and life.

The film highlights Trump’s rise to prominence, depicting how Cohn’s guidance helped him navigate legal and financial hurdles, including sidestepping New York City planning restrictions to build Trump Tower. The renovation of the Commodore Hotel into Trump Tower marks a turning point in Trump’s career, symbolizing his ascent to wealth and fame. The film captures the grandiosity of the tower’s inauguration, where Trump celebrates his newfound status among the elite.

Despite receiving an eight-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, where the film premiered to rave reviews, The Apprentice faced significant distribution challenges due to Donald Trump’s efforts to block its release. Trump’s legal team sent cease-and-desist letters to the producers and potential distributors, threatening lawsuits. Ultimately, after a successful Kickstarter campaign and a buyout of the film’s initial financier, Kinematics, the distribution rights were secured by Briarcliff Entertainment, an independent outfit led by Tom Ortenberg.

In addition to chronicling Trump’s growing ambition and success, The Apprentice explores his increasing detachment from those who helped him along the way, including his eventual abandonment of Roy Cohn, who died of AIDS, and the emotional distance he cultivated from his wife Ivana and his brother, Fred Trump Jr., whose tragic death from alcoholism looms in the background.

Abbasi’s film offers a stark and critical portrayal of Trump, focusing on the darker aspects of his personality—his charm, manipulative tendencies, and eventual descent into dishonesty and betrayal. It raises intriguing questions about how different Trump’s life might have been without the influence of Cohn and Roger Stone, another key figure who later shaped Trump’s political career. While The Apprentice may not reveal entirely new aspects of Trump’s character, it presents a dramatized exploration of the pivotal figures and forces that shaped him, making it a bold and controversial entry into the ongoing cultural conversation surrounding one of America’s most divisive figures.

 

Patricia Gras is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning journalist. She is the founder and producer of the online series Passion Time.

 

 

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Posted: October 24, 2024 at 10:10 pm