The Apprentice ★★★★
‘A CHEAP, defamatory and politically disgusting hatchet job.’
That, allegedly, is Donald Trump’s view of Iranian director Ali Abbasi’s new film The Apprentice.
I beg to differ. It may be cheap, as in relatively low budget, but this biopic is not only ferociously entertaining, it’s probably the best result the US President-elect could expect from a film-maker who isn’t under his influence.
In focusing on the period from the mid-1970’s to mid-80s when Trump was trying to step out of his father’s shadow and make his own mark as a property developer, Abbasi examines key moments and relationships that helped form the character we know today in a manner that doesn’t completely excoriate the man.
The fact Trump 1.0 lacks total confidence and displays some vulnerability and emotion is part of a relatively balanced portrayal in which there is more humanity shown than, for example, all the recent election coverage.
Of course, Trump and his supporters would understandably not be happy with many aspects of the film, including the graphic depiction of claims previously made in court and then withdrawn, that he raped his wife.
But that is to be expected of Abbasi’s staunchly independent and unflinching approach, also evident in his compelling last film, Holy Spider, which examined the mixed societal reactions to an Iranian serial killer targeting prostitutes.
But enough about the film-maker as there is more to praise, including two excellent acting performances.
Sebastian Stan is note-perfect as Trump, slowly building the personality, physical mannerisms and vocal style we see today. It’s a clever and nuanced performance, never becoming flamboyant or bombastic, ensuring their always remains some ability for the audience to maintain identification and perhaps a little empathy.
Playing opposite Stan is Jeremy Strong. As far as I am concerned you can hand Strong the next Best Supporting Actor Oscar now.
He gives a brilliant portrayal as the controversial and complex New York lawyer Roy Cohn who became mentor to Trump during this period.
Best known these days for his role in the television series Succession, Strong joins a small, exclusive club of three, along with Al Pacino and James Woods, who have portrayed Cohn on-screen.
The role is an actor’s dream – a Jewish, intellectual and supremely confident man whose love for his country twists into a pathological hatred of alleged enemies of the state such as communists and homosexuals.
From helping the infamous Senator McCarthy run so-called ‘undesirables’ out of the public service, to persecuting traitors and blackmailing and bullying business and government officials in benefit of his clients, Cohn was a formidable figure for several decades.
The extent of Strong’s success in the role is the fact that the audience still retains some empathy for the monster of a human being.
Cohn’s ‘three rules’ to achieving success – always attack, never admit you did anything wrong and always claim victory regardless of outcome – are slowly adopted by his protégé not only in business but also relationships, to the point where the two men eventually are forced to contend with each other.
Gabriel Sherman, who covered Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, was responsible for the script which also introduces many other real-life characters for key scenes, including Ivana Trump (Maria Bakalova), Fred Trump Snr (Martin Donovan), Roger Stone (Mark Rendall) and New York Mayor Ed Koch (Ian D. Clark).
‘Defamatory’? Who knows for sure. ‘Politically disgusting’? Depends on your politics.
Controversial and one of the best films of 2024? Absolutely.
Watched at the cinema.