In Ali Abbasi’s latest film, The Apprentice, viewers are transported back to 1970s New York to witness Donald Trump’s first steps into real estate and his unlikely friendship with the ruthless attorney Roy Cohn. Based on known facts from the period, the biographical drama had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, shining a light on Trump’s early life and career before he entered the political sphere.
The film focuses on a pivotal time when the young Trump was still striving to make a name for himself in real estate. He hadn’t yet become a household name. It’s then that he encounters Cohn, an infamous figure who had served as a lawyer during the Red Scare trials and maintained strong ties to political and criminal circles.
Against all odds, the two form an alliance that profoundly shapes Trump’s trajectory. Cohn takes the ambitious but inexperienced Trump under his wing, schooling him in the cutthroat ways of negotiating deals, influencing officials, and spinning the media.
Through their partnership, viewers observe Trump’s transformation as he scales the social and business ranks of New York City. But it comes at a cost, as he appears to adopt more of his mentor’s ruthless approaches. The Apprentice offers a glimpse at the origins of Trump’s pugilistic style, bringing historical context to his rise to prominence. It reveals the potent influence of early advisors like Cohn on making him the highly controversial public figure he remains today.
The Apprentice Takes Wing
In 1970s New York, a young Donald Trump was just getting started in real estate. Born to wealth but wanting more, Trump was determined to make his own name. He found opportunity in the rundown areas of Manhattan, seeing potential where others saw only blight. But to truly get his projects off the ground, Trump needed the right help.
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That’s where the cunning lawyer Roy Cohn came in. At a members-only club, the experienced Cohn takes note of the ambitious but still-learning Trump. Cohn takes Trump under his wing, schooling him in the cutthroat ways of New York real estate. Cohn’s aggressive tactics have become Trump’s guidebook, from countersuing opponents to manipulating the media. Together, they form a potent pair, with Cohn opening doors with his insider connections.
Cohn’s influence proves invaluable when Trump sets his sights on reviving the Commodore Hotel. Though others write it off, Trumo sees the location’s potential. With Cohn pulling strings, Trump transforms the rundown building into the Grand Hyatt, kicking off a construction boom. Soon more projects will follow, like the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. Trump’s successes snowball as he brings his vision to life, driven by Cohn’s teachings to defeat all opponents.
But as Trump’s empire expands, his apprenticeship comes to an end. Trump grows arrogant and ambitious, no longer content to follow Cohn’s lead. Tensions rise as Trump doubles down on risky ventures like casinos.
By the time Cohn falls ill with AIDS, the student has eclipsed the teacher. The partnership that made Trump’s early successes possible unravels, undone by the very tactics it helped create. Trump had learned too well, taking to new extremes the absolute win-at-all-costs mindset instilled by his first mentor.
Sebastian Stan Shines as Ambitious Young Trump
Sebastian Stan brings an ambitious yet awkward young Donald Trump to life in compelling fashion. We meet Trump in his late 20s, still finding his way in the New York real estate world and seeking his father’s approval. Stan perfectly captures Trump’s physical mannerisms, from the way he holds his hands to his attempt at a tough guy’s cocked head. But it’s the insecurity and eagerness to please that really come through.
This version of Trump is a far cry from the bombastic figure we know today. Stan shows us a man who is driven to prove himself but uncertain of how to get there. That makes his bond with Roy Cohn all the more understandable. Jeremy Strong is mesmerizing as the sinister yet seductive Cohn. He spots Trump’s potential and takes him under his wing, grooming him in the art of ruthless power plays. Strong brings a magnetic and unsettling presence to every scene.
Through their dynamic, we see how profoundly Cohn shapes Trump. He teaches Trump to attack mercilessly, admit nothing, and never accept defeat. Over time, Stan subtly transforms Trump, letting us see the man gradually adopt Cohn’s amoral behavior and unapologetic bullying as his own. But their relationship has nuances too, with Trump seemingly craving the approval and connection Cohn provides, at least at first.
Supporting roles like Martin Donovan’s cold Fred Trump and Maria Bakalova’s Ivana also enrich the story. Fred’s constant belittling of his sons sheds light on Trump’s father issues. Meanwhile, Ivana proves an ambitious partner for Trump but also one who sees his troubling true nature emerging. Together, this ensemble immerses us in Trump’s formative years and how his approach to both business and people was forged.
Direction, Production Design
Director Ali Abbasi aimed for a realistic portrayal of 1970s New York in The Apprentice. No single detail was overlooked in bringing the hustle and grit of that time to life. The production design by Aleksandra Marinković perfectly captured the worn character of the city during its economic downturn. Scenes from Trump’s early real estate ventures showed the depressing state of the neighborhoods in need of revival. Even the interiors of Trump’s family home felt dated and undesigned.
As Trump’s ambition grew, so did the opulence of his surroundings. Laura Montgomery’s costumes reflected this ascent. In early scenes, Trump wore casual suits that blended in rather than stood out. But with each new success, his clothing became more tailored and expensive. By the time he was courting Ivana Zelničková, Trump raked in admiration both for his flashy personal style and dazzling brand new high rises. His transformed wardrobe paralleled society, taking notice of the man emerging from the shadows.
For key figures in Trump’s orbit, costumes also underscored their power dynamic. Roy Cohn always looked impeccably put together in suits that commanded respect. His stylish edge hinted at the shadowy methods behind his accomplishments. In comparison, Trump at his side appeared out of his depth, relying on Cohn’s guidance. But the film shows Trump steadily adopting more sophisticated displays of wealth as he learns from the master. By the finale, his luxurious suits resemble the businessmen he now moves amongst as equals. Abbasi and his talented design team brought 1970s New York to vivid life, perfectly framing Trump’s trajectory.
The Making of a Monster
From its opening scenes, The Apprentice depicts a formative mentorship that would shape American history. We see Donald Trump as a young man, ambitious but unsure of himself, when he first crosses paths with lawyer Roy Cohn. It’s a fateful meeting that introduces Trump to what the film suggests became his trademark ruthless tactics.
Cohn takes the aspiring real estate developer under his wing, schooling Trump in the principles of always attacking, never admitting defeat, and wielding power through fear and intimidation. Their partnership helps Trump establish himself in New York real estate during a low period for the city. But it also exposes him to new levels of greed, corruption, and excessive ambition.
Over time, Trump seems to adopt more of Cohn’s most troubling traits. He becomes willing to crush anyone in his way, from business rivals to those closer to home. Even Cohn appears unsettled by the merciless tycoon Trump is evolving into. But by then, Trump had far outgrown the influence of his one-time teacher, answering to his ego above all else.
The film raises complex questions about social circles that reward the cruel and unethical with wealth and status. It also highlights how vulnerable someone like the younger Trump, desperate for validation, became to the poisonous ideas of a manipulator like Cohn. Most powerfully, it traces the metamorphosis of an ambitious man, so defined by winning and perceived strength, that he cast off any semblance of humanity to get ahead. By following Trump’s rise in 1970s New York, The Apprentice charts how easily ambition can morph into the dark narcissism we know today.
The Emerging Discussion
The Apprentice has generated nuanced discussion around its portrayal of Donald Trump and the controversial decisions made in crafting the story. While some praise its unvarnished look at Trump’s early years, others argue it fails to provide real insight into his psychology.
A topic of debate is the film’s fictionalization of certain events. The dramatic rape scene is particularly debated, given conflicting reports around the original allegations. Some see it as inaccurate and exploiting a sensitive issue. Others feel it highlights troubling aspects of Trump’s past that still resonate today.
Politically, opinions diverge on the movie’s intentions and influence. Fans argue it humanizes a complex figure in an unbiased manner. Critics argue that any humanization risks normalization. Some suspect it may appeal more to Trump supporters revisiting nostalgia than provoking new reflection.
Comparisons are also drawn to previous Trump portrayals, from caricatures to more nuanced character studies. None to date have tackled his early formation with such a focus on Roy Cohn’s Svengali-like role. But does the film ultimately shed more light on Cohn rather than getting underneath Trump’s skin?
As Americans prepare to vote later this year, debate is lively around whether audiences will line up for a story revisiting this contentious figure. Or will most look for election-year insight elsewhere? Only ticket sales will tell if audiences crave this perspective or find it an unwanted detour back in time. The discussion is sure to continue long after the credits roll.
The Apprentice reveals Trump’s evolution
The film offers a glimpse into Donald Trump’s past that sheds light on how he became the polarizing figure he is today. It tracks Trump’s ascent over several transformative years as he learns the real estate trade from ruthless mentor Roy Cohn.
While some see it as too tame in its depiction, the movie succeeds in humanizing Trump as an ambitious young man seeking his father’s approval. Through his partnership with Cohn, Trump adopts a win-at-all-costs mentality that serves him in business yet risks his humanity.
Sebastian Stan brings nuance to Trump, showing his charm and drive but also foreshadowing the arrogance to come. Jeremy Strong equally impresses as Cohn, the sinister yet mesmerizing force twisting Trump’s moral compass.
Their relationship proves pivotal in Trump gaining influence, yet it hints at darker changes within him over time. While not a totalizing portrait, The Apprentice offers valuable perspective on Trump’s origins by capturing a defining phase where he most embraced Cohn’s influence, for better or worse. It presents their dynamic as central to Trump’s development into the polarizing figure he is today, for better and often worse.
The Review
The Apprentice
While not a definitive portrayal, The Apprentice functions as a solid biopic that increases understanding of Donald Trump's origins and evolution. It succeeds in humanizing the young man while demonstrating how harmful influences shaped his approach for good or ill. Strong performances and anchored direction make this an insightful, watchable film, if not altogether satisfying.
PROS
- Strong performances from Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong in the lead roles
- Provides insight into the formative period of Trump's career under Roy Cohn.
- Visuals effectively capture the gritty atmosphere of a 1970s New York setting.
- Humanizes Trump to some extent in early scenes, seeking his father's approval.
CONS
- The narrative loses momentum in the second half as it moves past Cohn's involvement.
- Fails to offer a deeper analysis of Trump's psychology and motivation over time.
- The depiction of controversial moments like the alleged rape scene lacks impact.
- The portrayal of Trump is somewhat tepid and avoids exploring his darker qualities fully.
