Genre：Docudrama/Period Drama/Biography/Drama/History
Director：Ali Abbasi
Cast：Sebastian Stan、Jeremy Strong、Martin Donovan、Maria Bakalova、Catherine McNally
Viola's Rating：7.7
As Donald Trump was reelected to his second non-consecutive presidency, Iranian director Ali Abbasi’s latest feature film
The Apprentice delves into Trump’s youth. It explores how he became the man we know today. Although the film premiered in the US on October 11, 2024, it did not impact the election results in hindsight. After all, despite featuring plenty of controversial content,
The Apprentice wasn’t intended to undermine Trump but instead aimed to provide a fresh, balanced perspective on him as a successful businessman of his era.
Co-produced by Canada, Denmark, Ireland and the United States, this biographical historical period docudrama chronicles how a young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan) launched his real estate career in 1970s and '80s New York, guided by the infamous lawyer Roy M. Cohn (Jeremy Strong).
While The Apprentice maintains a balanced narrative, it doesn’t shy away from portraying the darker aspects of Trump’s life. Playing such a widely recognized and polarizing figure—someone everyone sees on TV nearly every day—is no easy feat. To embody Trump, Stan consumed excessive amounts of carbs and Coca-Cola daily and studied hundreds of Trump’s videos to mimic his behavior and speech patterns. From a bashful young man in his twenties to an insufferably arrogant real estate mogul, Stan’s transformation was so convincing that it earned him a nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards.
When it comes to Trump in modern society, non-supporters may associate him with discrimination. However,
The Apprentice provides context for why Trump may have developed such controversial views. Whether it’s homophobia, racism or sexism, the societal environment of the time, combined with the teachings of his mentor Roy Cohn, undoubtedly played a significant role. While these ideologies are considered highly politically incorrect today, the flick may lead audiences to momentarily empathize with the young Trump portrayed in the story. Indeed, the version of Trump brought to life by Stan is undeniably charismatic.
Beyond focusing on Trump himself,
The Apprentice also shines a light on his family, offering viewers deeper insights into what shaped him. From the strict expectations placed on him by his father to his admiration and respect for his older brother, Fred Trump Jr., the motion picture vividly depicts how Trump’s family background influenced his character. The narrative of
The Apprentice extends to the late 1980s, so the story also includes Trump’s relationship with his late first wife, Ivana Trump.
Whether you support Trump or not, The Apprentice is a remarkable movie that introduces moviegoers to a significant figure in our modern world. It steers clear of overt political commentary while still allowing viewers to sense Trump’s budding interest in politics during his early years.
Picture Credit: Cai Chang International Inc.
Comments
Post a Comment