Reviewed on May 20th at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival – Competition. 120Mins
Cast: Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Martin Donovan and Maria Bakalova
Genre: Drama, History, Biography
Director: Ali Abbasi
In Irish Cinemas: 18th October 2024
Don’t be misled by the title The Apprentice. This isn’t a film adaptation of the popular NBC reality show. Instead, it serves as an insightful and unexpectedly sharp origin story of the man who once hosted it—Donald Trump. In this telling, the real “apprentice” is none other than Trump himself, a figure infamous for his career as a real estate mogul, his tenure as the 45th President of the United States, and now the likely Republican frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election. Far from mere entertainment, the story delves into the rise of one of the most polarising figures in modern American politics, offering a deeper look into the forces that shaped his public persona and political journey.
Ali Abbasi’s gripping film focuses not on Donald Trump’s political life but on a lesser-known chapter from his early years in the 1970s. The film delves into Trump’s early twenties when he struggled to establish himself in the competitive New York real estate market. However, this isn’t just a story about Trump’s ambitions. Central to the narrative is his complex and controversial relationship with his lawyer, Roy Cohn—a man infamous for his ruthless tactics and unyielding will to win, often described as vicious, sadistic, and relentlessly cruel. Cohn, a notorious figure from the McCarthy era, played a pivotal role in shaping Trump’s early career, imparting lessons in cutthroat business practices and legal manoeuvring. The filmmakers draw inspiration from a mix of cinematic influences. Works like Midnight Cowboy, Frankenstein, and Barry Lyndon inform the tone and themes of the film, with Barry Lyndon being especially relevant in its portrayal of an 18th-century social climber, a character who, like Trump, is determined to rise to prominence despite having no deeply held principles or convictions. The film explores Trump’s rise and the darker, transactional nature of power and relationships through this lens.
Trump and Roy Cohn developed an unusual and symbiotic relationship, helping the other advance their ambitions. While mutually beneficial, this dynamic was a striking contrast between their personas. As portrayed in “The Apprentice,” Trump comes across as driven but often unsure of himself, seeking validation from authority figures, much like a son striving for the approval of a stern, tough-love father. While awkward, he had a specific determination and an odd charm that made him compelling, even though he seemed out of place at times. Cohn, on the other hand, was an intelligent and ruthless political operative with a dark past. He had gained notoriety in the 1950s for his role in Senator Joseph McCarthy’s infamous anti-communist witch hunts and for his involvement in the execution of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, who were convicted as spies. Cohn had a reputation for being manipulative and evil, and in this partnership, he took on a mentor-like role with Trump. It was almost as if Cohn was moulding Trump, guiding him through the cutthroat world of power and influence; instead of teaching refined speech and manners, Cohn was imparting lessons in aggression, manipulation, and the ruthless pursuit of success. However, as with all such partnerships, the balance of power shifted over time, and Cohn’s influence would eventually fade, leaving Trump to continue on his path.
At one point, Donald Trump famously asked in frustration, “Where’s my Roy Cohn?” during a heated rant about one of his lawyers, who he felt wasn’t doing enough to defend him. This statement speaks volumes about the profound impact Roy Cohn, Trump’s original “fixer,” had on his early career. Cohn, portrayed by Jeremy Strong, was a ruthless lawyer known for his aggressive tactics and ethical flexibility. He had built a fearsome reputation from his involvement with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the infamous anti-Communist hearings in the 1950s. Cohn first encountered a young and uneasy Trump (played by Sebastian Stan) in an elite New York City club that Trump had managed to infiltrate. Sensing Trump’s insecurities and ambition, Cohn essentially took him under his wing, offering mentorship to shape Trump’s future approach to power, business, and conflict. Cohn drilled three rules into Trump’s head, rules that Trump still seems to live by today: 1. Attack, Attack, Attack: Always be on the offensive, no matter what. Whether in business or politics, Trump learned to adopt an aggressive stance as self-defence, first striking before anyone could act against him. 2. Admit Nothing, Deny Everything: The second principle was never to show weakness. No matter the facts or circumstances, Trump learned to maintain plausible deniability, always deflecting blame or accusations onto others. 3. Keep Your Hands Clean: Though Cohn’s motto was “do little,” meaning operate behind the scenes while appearing uninvolved, Trump adapted this into maintaining distance from direct accountability while pulling strings from behind. In hindsight, Cohn’s mentorship foreshadowed many of Trump’s tactics and behaviours in both his business dealings and political career, underscoring how pivotal Cohn was in shaping Trump’s worldview. Cohn’s principles of aggressive denial, relentless attack, and operating in the shadows have since been regarded as prophetic, given the combative and controversial figure Trump has become.
Roy Cohn stressed one core principle above all to Donald Trump: winning is everything. He reminded Trump constantly that “nobody likes a loser” and crudely warned him, “Everyone wants to suck a winner’s cock”, pushing the idea that public perception and dominance were paramount. Trump, under Cohn’s mentorship, persuaded his hard-nosed father, Fred Trump, to hire Cohn for legal support when the Department of Justice charged them with racial discrimination in their housing projects. With Cohn’s expertise and ruthless approach, they settled the case with no fines, a victory that deeply ingratiated him with Donald. “You have to be willing to do anything to anyone to win,” Cohn said, instilling in Trump the importance of using any means necessary to secure victory. Cohn, acting as both a mentor and image architect, even refined Trump’s appearance and public persona. Trump, a native of Queens, wasn’t immediately seen as someone from the upper echelons of Manhattan society. Cohn asked, “Is this gonna be a guy from Flushing or 5th Avenue?” Of course, the goal was to present Trump as the latter—Fifth Avenue material. Cohn orchestrated Trump’s first steps into high society by arranging for a flattering article in The New York Times, where a society columnist praised Trump’s looks and compared him to Robert Redford, marking him as a rising star.
One of Cohn’s key lessons was always to chase media attention. In Cohn’s view, being in the papers daily was essential to shaping public perception and cementing one’s status. As Trump’s star rose, Cohn guided him into elite social circles, introducing him to figures like Rupert Murdoch and George Steinbrenner at exclusive parties. With a cheeky nod to the often intertwined nature of wealth and legal troubles, Cohn joked, “If you’re indicted, you’re invited.” Cohn was no stranger to legal battles, having faced charges of tax evasion and connections to underworld figures, yet he always managed to evade serious consequences. His shrewd legal manoeuvring and under-the-table dealings were instrumental in helping Trump realise his ambitions, such as securing a critical $160 million tax reduction that enabled Trump to complete the development of Trump Tower. Through legal acumen and backdoor deals, Cohn helped pave the way for Trump’s success, demonstrating the ruthless strategies necessary for winning in both the courtroom and the world of high finance.
In separate events, Trump is introduced to Roger Stone (portrayed by Mark Rendall), a political operative known for his expertise in “dirty tricks.” Stone proudly promotes Ronald Reagan’s campaign slogan, “Let’s make America great again,” which Trump would later adopt as his iconic slogan during his presidential run. Around the same time, a fire breaks out at the top of Trump’s first-ever all-concrete hotel in New York City, which is still under construction. When Trump faces a crisis over unpaid bills, his lawyer, Roy Cohn, arranges a tense meeting with mob-connected associates who demand that Trump settle his debts with the concrete supplier. Trump’s reputation for stiffening contractors and workers is already well-established. On the personal front, Trump relentlessly pursues Ivana (played by Maria Bakalova) despite her initial rejections. After persistent efforts, she agrees to date him, and they eventually marry, though not without complications. Ivana hesitates to sign the overreaching prenuptial agreement drafted by Cohn but ultimately does. Their wedding became a major social event, and Ivana partnered with Trump to create the notoriously flashy design of the Trump Tower. As their family grows with the birth of their children, Trump’s ambitions expand to Atlantic City, where he assures Cohn he is well-prepared to manage casinos. However, these ventures eventually fail, culminating in multiple bankruptcies. Their marriage begins to unravel as well. Trump admits to Ivana that he no longer finds her attractive, sparking a heated argument in which Ivana retaliates by mocking his physical appearance, calling him “fat, ugly, bald, and orange-faced.” The confrontation escalates, culminating in an aggressive sexual encounter on the floor, raising questions about whether it was consensual. This scene is likely to evoke strong reactions, especially given Trump’s history of sexual assault allegations, including the lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll, which he lost. Though not depicted in the film, public awareness of these cases could colour how viewers interpret this moment. The encounter appears to have violent overtones, further complicating the depiction of Trump’s character.
The film delves into Donald Trump’s darker side, showcasing his transformation into a more ruthless figure, especially in his dealings with his lawyer, Roy Cohn. In one pivotal scene, Cohn asks Trump for help securing a room at the Hyatt for his partner, who is suffering from AIDS. Although Trump agrees, he later sends Cohn a bill for the favour, highlighting his increasingly transactional nature. The relationship between Trump and Cohn becomes more complex when Cohn himself is diagnosed with AIDS. Despite their previous tensions, Trump attends Cohn’s birthday, presenting him with “diamond” cufflinks engraved with the word “Trump.” However, Ivana later reveals to Cohn that the cufflinks were fake, subtly hinting at the shallow nature of Trump’s gestures. This screenplay, written by Gabriel Sherman, who had previously profiled Trump, presents their relationship as a Faustian bargain.
While both Trump and Cohn have been labelled as ruthless figures, the film seeks to offer an empathetic lens on their stories. Rather than demonising them outright, the film explores the forces that shaped these men, suggesting that their actions contributed to a broader historical shift in America, which may still be playing out today. The portrayal of Trump is particularly striking. The film humanises him by focusing on his early years, depicting his desperate attempts to gain his father’s approval and step out of his shadow. Throughout the two-hour film, we see Trump slowly achieve that goal, but at the cost of losing some of his humanity. The film doesn’t paint a flattering portrait but is far from a hatchet job. Perhaps this is due to the foreign director, who only became aware of Trump during his 2015 presidential campaign. The aim is not to critique the man Trump would eventually become but to trace the origins of his persona.
Interestingly, the film opens with a scene of Richard Nixon famously declaring, “I am not a crook.” This moment, though brief, sets the tone, possibly signalling the filmmakers’ intention to draw a parallel between Nixon and Trump, both controversial figures in American history. The choice to start with Nixon suggests the filmmakers are offering more than just a biographical recount of Trump—they’re inviting viewers to reflect on the recurring themes of ambition, deception, and power in American politics.
Stan skillfully steps into the character of a young Trump, delivering a nuanced portrayal that avoids the caricature style often seen on shows like Saturday Night Live. His performance is understated yet precise, giving a believable representation of the man in his formative years. Meanwhile, Strong shines in his depiction of Roy Cohn, a figure portrayed before by actors like Al Pacino in Angels in America. However, Strong brings a fresh intensity to the role, fully embodying Cohn’s complexities with a detailed, multifaceted performance that feels raw and authentic. Bakalova, though only present in a handful of scenes, leaves a strong impression with her compelling performance. Donovan, as Fred Trump Sr., also stands out, especially in a scene where he tries to justify his behaviour, claiming, “How can I be racist when I have a Black chauffeur?” This line, delivered during a dinner table confrontation with his sons, reflects the character’s lack of self-awareness and rigid worldview. Carrick is similarly strong as Trump’s older brother, Fred Jr., portraying a man unable to meet his father’s relentless expectations. His interactions with Donald offer rare glimpses of the younger Trump’s capacity for empathy, adding a layer of emotional depth to the sibling relationship. The production also deserves praise for the technical work that complements the performances. Sean Sansom’s seamless hair, makeup, and prosthetic effects subtly transform the actors without distracting them from their performances, allowing them to fully inhabit their roles without the audience being pulled out of the story by visible makeup or artificial enhancements.
Overall: 7.5/10
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