The Apprentice (2024)
The Apprentice takes us on a wild ride through the early years of Donald Trump’s career, focusing on his relationship with the infamous lawyer Roy Cohn in 1970s New York. As Trump climbs the real estate ladder, we see how Cohn’s influence shapes the future president’s tactics and personality. The film then jumps to the 1980s, showing Trump’s growing empire and his marriage to Ivana. Despite its flaws, Ali Abbasi’s biopic packs enough punch to hold your attention. Sebastian Stan does a solid job as young Trump, nailing his mannerisms without veering into caricature. But Jeremy Strong steals the show as Roy Cohn. His performance is downright mesmerising—you can’t take your eyes off him when he’s on screen.
The first half of the film is where the real meat is. It’s fascinating to watch the dynamic between Trump and Cohn unfold, with Cohn playing puppet master to Trump’s eager apprentice. There’s a palpable energy in these scenes, and you can almost see the wheels turning in Trump’s head as he soaks up Cohn’s ruthless philosophy. But here’s the rub: once we hit the 1980s, the film starts to lose its way. It becomes a bit of a paint-by-numbers biopic, ticking off well-known events in Trump’s life without adding much insight. It’s like the filmmakers ran out of steam halfway through.
The cinematography deserves a shout-out, though. The grainy, 70s-style footage in the first half gives way to a more polished, TV-like look in the 80s scenes, cleverly mirroring Trump’s rise to media prominence. It’s a nice touch that adds depth to the visual storytelling.
One of the film’s strengths is its attempt to humanise Trump without excusing his actions. We see glimpses of vulnerability, particularly in his relationship with his domineering father Fred (played with chilling effectiveness by Martin Donovan). These moments add complexity to the character, even if they sometimes feel a bit underdeveloped.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—the film’s political stance. Abbasi tries to walk a tightrope here, presenting Trump’s rise without overtly condemning or glorifying it. Some viewers might find this approach frustratingly neutral, while others will appreciate the attempt at objectivity. For me, the facts speak for themselves. And I’ll let them speak for you so you can draw your own conclusions.
All in all, The Apprentice is a decent watch, especially for those interested in recent American history. It’s not groundbreaking cinema, but it offers an intriguing glimpse into the making of one of the most controversial figures in modern politics. Just don’t go in expecting any earth-shattering revelations. If you’re a political junkie or a fan of biopics, give it a shot. But if you’re looking for a deep dive into Trump’s psyche or a scathing critique of his policies, you might want to look elsewhere. This flick is more of a “how we got here” story than a comprehensive analysis.
In the end, The Apprentice is like a well-made burger—satisfying enough, but not quite gourmet. It’s worth a watch, but it probably won’t change your life. At the very least, you’ll come away with a newfound appreciation for Jeremy Strong’s acting!