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Since its release on October 11, 2024, The Apprentice has been a hot topic for many reasons. The 'fictional' movie dives into the early life and career of Donald J. Trump and is set primarily during the chaos of 1970s New York. The film portrays a young Trump, played by Sebastian Stan, navigating the realities of a city on the brink of financial collapse.
At the heart of this story is Trump's complicated relationship with Roy Cohn, a notorious lawyer known for his aggressive tactics and political connections, portrayed by Jeremy Strong. Directed by Ali Abbasi and based on a script by Gabriel Sherman, the movie blends historical facts with dramatized interpretations, depicting Trump’s transformation from a Queens real estate developer to a high-profile Manhattan mogul.
The film illustrates Trump’s grand ambitions to revive and dominate New York real estate, starting with the dilapidated Commodore Hotel. As Trump climbs the social and economic ladder, his encounters with influential figures, shady deals, and the allure of power shape his path.
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The Apprentice: Act I - The rough start in New York
The Apprentice thrusts us into the filthy, chaotic world of 1970s New York, vividly captured through the lens of director Ali Abbasi. Early scenes depict a young Donald Trump, ambitious and somewhat naive, embroiled in the everyday grind of his family's real estate business.
Sebastian Stan portrays Trump with a mixture of determination and raw ambition as he navigates through the squalid streets, collecting rent and confronting the harsh realities faced by many New Yorkers during the city’s fiscal crisis.
This part of the movie sets a solid foundation for Trump's character development, showing his initial, almost scrappy attempts at making a name for himself in a city filled with opportunity and decay.
The Apprentice: Act II - The mentorship with Roy Cohn
The story turns sharply as Trump meets Roy Cohn, depicted by Jeremy Strong. The relationship is the film's crux, showing how Cohn's cunning and morally ambiguous guidance helps sculpt Trump's future tactics and persona.
Their dynamic is explored through intense, tightly scripted interactions highlighting Cohn's influence on Trump, from backdoor dealings to high-stakes legal advice. Strong’s portrayal of Cohn is magnetic, capturing the lawyer's notorious ruthlessness and shrewdness, which is contrasted starkly against Stan's portrayal of Trump’s burgeoning assertiveness and flair for the dramatic.
The Apprentice: Act III - Ascension and excess
As Trump's ambitions grow, the film shifts to a more opulent setting, reflecting his rising success in the late '70s and early '80s. These visuals transition from Queens's gritty streets to Manhattan's glitzy opulence. The segment of the film effectively captures Trump's transformation into a real estate mogul, marked by his high-profile social outings and the grandiose renovation of the Commodore Hotel.
The film doesn’t shy away from depicting the excess of the era and Trump’s personal life, including his tumultuous relationship with Ivana, played by Maria Bakalova, who delivers a strong performance that encapsulates both charm and complexity.
The Apprentice: Act IV: The making of a public figure
The movie's final act will show the consolidation of Trump's empire and his emergence as a celebrity in the Reagan era. The section skillfully illustrates his mastery of media and public relations, culminating in the iconic development of Trump Tower.
The film uses archival footage and a series of well-crafted interviews to showcase Trump’s knack for self-promotion and his eventual crafting of a public persona that would dominate New York real estate and tabloid culture. The climax builds to a crucial reflection on the nature of power and ambition, leaving viewers to ponder the real cost of Trump’s ascent, both for him and for those around him.
The Apprentice is available on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
