“I made my mistakes, but in all my years of public life, I have never profited from public service. I’ve earned every cent. And in all of my years in public life, I have never obstructed justice. And I think, too, that I can say that in my years of public life, I welcome this kind of examination because people have got to know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I’m not a crook. I’ve earned everything I’ve got.” Ali Abbasi, the director of The Apprentice, opens up his narrative of young Donald Trump as a real estate businessman in New York City in the 1970s and 1980s using these famous quotes from “Rochard M. Nixon,” the 37th president of the United States.
In May 2018, the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Ireland announced the film as an international co-production. However, they put it on hold until Abbasi, Stan, and Strong joined in 2023. Following its debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2024, the film encountered difficulty in securing distribution in the United States as a result of its controversial subject matter and an attempt by Trump’s legal team to obstruct its release. Briarcliff Entertainment ultimately acquired the rights and released the film theatrically on October 11, 2024.
In 1973, Donald Trump encountered Roy Cohn, a prosecutor who is renowned for his prosecution of the Rosenbergs. Cohn assists Trump in a case concerning ethnic discrimination, and Trump is profoundly impressed by Cohen’s character. Donald establishes a robust rapport with Roy as a result of his resilience, ambition, and uncompromising demeanour, which helps him navigate the challenging territory of success. His strong desire to prove his superiority over his father, Fred, or to accomplish the aim of “Make America Great Again” drives him.
Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Donald Trump offers a nuanced exploration of a young man on the brink of both success and self-destruction. Stan imbues Trump with ambitious energy, his performance striking a balance between charm and an unsettling undercurrent of desperation. From the outset, Abbasi paints Trump as a figure wrapped in contradictions—confident yet insecure, charismatic yet manipulative. The cinematography often captures him in shadows, underscoring the moral ambiguities of his pursuit of power.
In stark contrast, Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of Roy Cohn presents a figure who embodies the ruthless nature of the legal world. Jeremy Strong portrays Cohn not just as a lawyer but also as a mentor and a Machiavellian strategist, guiding Trump through the complex realms of business and politics. Strong’s performance is both magnetic and chilling; his Cohn is a complex character—intelligent, persuasive, and utterly unscrupulous. The dynamic between Trump and Cohn is central to the film, illustrating a mentor-student relationship fraught with emotional turbulence and ethical dilemmas.
The Apprentice explores ambition as a complex issue. Abbasi does not glorify Trump’s relentless pursuit of success; rather, he presents it as a driving force that often leads to moral decay. The film highlights key moments that demonstrate how Trump’s ambition leads to increasingly questionable decisions—evoking questions about the price of success. Abbasi’s The Apprentice serves as a grim reminder of the ethical void often present in the realms of power and ambition. Cohn’s influence on Trump raises pertinent questions about the nature of morality in politics and business. Cohn, famously associated with McCarthyism, viewed ethics as a hindrance to success. His teachings encourage Trump to view the world through a lens of combat and self-preservation, dismissing any sense of accountability.
The film poignantly captures these moral conflicts, portraying Cohn as a figure who operates outside the traditional confines of right and wrong. Cohn raised Trump in a world that views morality as a liability rather than an asset, normalizing unethical behavior. This ethical disorientation lays the groundwork for the relationships Trump later cultivates across various facets of his life, leading to a broader commentary on American culture and politics. Cohn’s influence in different aspects of Trump’s life—even his marriage with Ivana and the contract he made before marrying her—illustrates the presence of Cohn in the apprentice’s life.
Distinctive cinematic techniques support Abbasi’s storytelling, enhancing the film’s thematic depth. Kasper Tuxen, the director of photography known for The Worst Person in the World (2021) and Riders of Justice (2020), portrays a sense of power with his great cinematography, which includes lighting, camera movements, and colour grading. Chiaroscuro lighting emphasises tension and dualism among the characters. The sound design enhances this, with the clamour of New York’s life juxtaposed with the eerie calm of moments of contemplation.
From the very first scenes, where Trump sits down in a club, following the big shots there and introducing them to his partner, to the moments when he stands beside the window of the Trump Tower and gazes at New York as if the entire city belongs to him, Stan’s nuanced performance provides a brief glimpse into what Donald Trump is doing with the United States and the world at large. Stan’s nuanced performance portrays a narcissistic character who blindly believes in himself, but it’s unclear if we are impressed by his acting or by the strange character who unexpectedly became the 47th president of the U.S.
Ali Abbasi highlights a delicate narrative in which many individuals can readily identify its flaws. The Apprentice could be a fitting title for both the film and the young Trump, as none of them are mature enough to leave a lasting impression on the audience. Despite the brilliant dynamic between Stan and Strong and the power of subtle cinematography, the film lacks memorable moments, particularly toward the end of the tale. Donald’s hint about the presidency in his interview leaves us yearning for more, but we also recognize his limitations in The Apprentice.
Ali Abbasi dared to succeed, despite Trump’s disapproval of the sexual scene between him and Ivana and his refusal to accept responsibility for his own mistakes. He has emerged as a victor, a lesson he learned from his mentor, Roy. Contrary to many who may not like him as the U.S. president, the citizens undoubtedly want him to be their leader. Beyond all the debates, cinema stands apart from political play and provides us with a glimpse into the life of one of the most controversial presidents in the history of America. So let’s sit down and have a short glimpse at young Donal’s life as The Apprentice.
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