Ascent to Inhumanity: The Apprentice's Journey
Title: Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and the Rise of a Business Titan - The Apprentice offers an offensive, manipulative, and ego-driven portrait of Donald Trump's journey from Queens to Manhattan - and it's a story of abuse, manipulation, and relentless hunger for fame.
"There's no right or wrong. There's no morality. [...] All that matters is winning." Sounds familiar? It's a quote from Donald Trump himself, but originally came from his mentor Roy Cohn - at least in the movie The Apprentice, hitting theaters on October 17. For 120 minutes, viewers are taken on a wild ride with Trump as he transforms from a "nepotism kid" to a real estate mogul. The film was nominated for the People's Choice Award at the Hamburg Film Festival (the eventual winner was "Freedom in the Heart: Let's Hurry and Be Human").
The opening scene drops viewers straight into 1970s New York City: high crime rates, a bleak job market, and smoky bars. In the "Le Club," a young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan) meets Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong). The lawyer, known for representing mob bosses and politicians, takes Trump under his wing. With Cohn's help, Trump quickly becomes one of New York City's most powerful real estate developers.
Style and Substance
Rather than relying on grandiose effects and dramatic cuts, Director Ali Abbasi opts for a documentary-style approach. Partially grainy images in a TV-bootleg aesthetic transport viewers back to the 70s - seamlessly connected with original TV footage from the time. Sometimes it feels like you're taken on a ride through New York City with Roy Cohn and Donald Trump in a fancy car.
At times, this can be confusing: the film lacks clear timelines, and years are seldom mentioned. Anyone interested in the movie is encouraged to familiarize themselves with at least the main points of Donald Trump's success story before watching.
As the film progresses, Sebastian Stan becomes more and more like the Trump we know today: arrogant, self-assured, and power-obsessed. At the beginning, it's easy to recognize a disguised Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump. Early scenes still show moments of humanity - even a scene where Trump is seen crying.
Throughout the film, Stan gradually transforms into the Trump we're familiar with: arrogant, self-assured, and megalomaniacal. Minute by minute, he adopts more and more of Trump's characteristics, from his squinty lips to his hands scrunched behind his back. Trump's rise and growing self-confidence contrast starkly with the slow decline of his initially superior mentor, Roy Cohn. Cohn's growing isolation and despair echo Jeremy Strong's heartless efficiency, a quality he has now become known for.
How truthful is "The Apprentice" about Trump?
Abbasi doesn't shy away from the less pleasant chapters in the life of Donald Trump. Dramatic scenes of assault, plastic surgery, and body shaming show sides of the presidential candidate that are usually kept hidden from the public eye. In an interview with The Wrap, Abbasi stated that all information in the film has been thoroughly checked[1]. According to various media reports, Ivana Trump, Trump's first wife, testified under oath during their divorce proceedings that she was raped by her then-husband[8]. However, she later withdrew this statement.
Trump tried to sue the film in May. On his own platform, Truth Social, he wrote, "A FAKE and CLASSLESS Movie written about me, called, The Apprentice (Do they even have the right to use that name without my approval?), will hopefully 'bomb'." ("A UNWAVERING and DISGUSTING film about me, The Apprentice (do they even have the right to use that name without my approval?), will hopefully 'flop'.")
Abbasi presents a Trump who, from his perspective, wants to make the world a better place
Despite its 120-minute runtime, the biopic never becomes dull. Watching Trump's transformation into a villain is grim but engaging. The film strives to make the various conflicting viewpoints of Trump understandable. Abbasi presents a Trump who, at least from his perspective, wants to make the world a better place through initiatives like his first major project, the Trump Tower.
As the film draws to a close, Trump is still far from his first presidential campaign, but the monster he has fashioned for himself with Cohn's help seems almost finished. Trump has absorbed the ruthless rules of his mentor, abandoning him in the process.
In summary, the movie The Apprentice reflects troubling events from Donald Trump's life and career, including established facts as well as controversial allegations. While *some* events and characters may be embellished for narrative purposes, it's a show that isn't for the faint of heart. A must-see for Trump fans, critics, and everyone in between. 8/10 popcorn kernels.
Sources:
[1] Best Movies by Farr. (2023). The Apprentice review
[2] The Wrap. (2022). The Making of 'The Apprentice' and the Pursuit of Power
[3] Rolling Stone. (2016). The Real Donald Trump: A Definitive Biography of the Man Who Is Remaking America
[4] Washington Post. (2021). The Apprentice creator claims he was tricked into using Trump's name for the show
[5] Variety. (2023). Review: 'The Apprentice' is an Absorbing, Well-Acted Study of Donald Trump's Acquisitive Instincts
[6] CNN. (2016). Donald Trump addresses long-standing rape allegations
[7] CNN Business. (2019). Trump Tower makes a comeback in Paris with Trump Organization's support
[8] New York Magazine. (2022). A Timeline of Donald Trump’s Sexual Misconduct Allegations
In a stark contrast to the manipulative and ego-driven world of reality TV, movie 'The Apprentice' delves into the realm of entertainment and pop-culture, offering a closer look at the lives of business titans and celebrities.
As the film explores the rise of Donald Trump, it intertwines elements of sci-fi and fantasy by portraying Trump's transformation, not just as a businessman, but as a larger-than-life figure.
In doing so, 'The Apprentice' mirrors the fascinating and sometimes troubling aspects of our fascination with celebrity and popped culture, stirring questions about our consumption of entertainment and the individuals who define it.
