The world of politics and cinema merged in a chilling symbiosis with the release of Ali Abbasi’s film, “The Apprentice.” This grimly captivating narrative delves into the early years of Donald Trump, offering a dark glimpse into his transformation from a loud, ambitious real estate heir to the morally absent figure so frequently featured in headlines today. Unlike the usual retelling of scandalous tales we’re accustomed to, “The Apprentice” embarks on a deeper voyage, exploring the theme of power’s ability to corrupt the already susceptible. Through the lens of a mentor-student dynamic, the film keenly dissects how one man’s ambition can spiral into moral decay.
In a challenging and bravura performance, Sebastian Stan steps into the shoes of a youthful Donald Trump, capturing him long before the bombastic persona of political campaign stages and infamous Twitter outbursts. Stan’s portrayal is replete with a physicality that borders on the caricatured, yet it strikes the essence of Trump with an unsettling precision. His enactment embodies Trump’s renowned pouting, the animated gestures of his hands, and that distinct smirk, offering an accurate depiction that unsettles audiences.
Perhaps more compelling than the physical portrayal is Stan’s navigation of Trump’s emotional journey—a portrayal of a man who is facially recognizable yet much harder to pin down emotionally. In these formative years, Stan illustrates a Trump who hasn’t yet grasped his own identity but inherently understands that he is prepared to bend any rule to achieve his goals. This ambition, as the world has since observed, shapes a character destined to leave an indelible mark on the American political sphere.
The core of Abbasi’s film is the riveting relationship between Trump and the notorious lawyer Roy Cohn. Jeremy Strong delivers a riveting performance, channeling Cohn with a chilling, snake-like intensity reminiscent of his portrayal in the corporate world of “Waystar-Royco.” As Trump’s sinister mentor, Cohn is not only a guide through the muddy waters of politics and business but also the molder of Trump’s more nefarious capabilities. Cohn’s overt homophobia and willingness to lie and cheat find a natural counterpart in Trump, someone he recognizes for his willingness to engage in morally dubious undertakings.
“The Apprentice” cleverly masks this disturbing bromance within its ambit as a political biopic, sneaking in suggestions of a twisted, almost intimate bond. Here lies the film’s most enthralling aspect: the crackling energy between Trump and Cohn, a relationship where depravity is mutually recognized as a bond.
. This partnership, decked with a kind of oil-slick camaraderie, evokes discomfort akin to watching Faust’s descent into moral compromise.
Moments of plotting and scheming between the two ripple with a subtle eroticism, a notion never overt but palpable—insinuating that their corrupt alliance is infused with a queasy intimacy. Such performances are integral to the film’s resonance, with Strong’s depiction of Cohn showcasing a masterclass in manipulation and duplicitous charm.
Under Abbasi’s direction, the film is suffused with an escalating sense of discomfort, drawing from his penchant for darker narratives as evidenced in works like “Holy Spider.” The seedy allure of 1970s New York becomes a quagmire of exploitation—an atmosphere ripe for someone like Trump, portrayed as all too eager to capitalize on the decaying splendor surrounding him. Kasper Tuxen’s cinematography deftly contrasts the opulent yet deteriorating cityscape with the internal moral collapse of its characters.
“The Apprentice” injects humor, though it’s the kind that prompts laughter from the depths of disquietude. Scenes such as young Trump’s elaborate grooming rituals or Cohn’s encouragement to adopt a flattering wardrobe prompt laughter tinged with unease. However, the comedy serves to enhance the grotesque formation of the man unfurling before the audience’s eyes, with Abbasi always knowing when to cut this levity with harsh reminders of the truths we’re witnessing.
Although “The Apprentice” stumbles slightly in its later parts with headline-grabbing narratives, like the unsettling depiction of Trump’s alleged spousal assault with Ivana, it doesn’t lose its trajectory. These instances, while heavy-handed, don’t overshadow the psychological groundwork laid in its early sequences.
Regarded beyond its macabre humor, the film contemplates the construction of a myth—that of Trump as an unbeatable entity, a narrative carefully nurtured and sustained despite ample evidence to the contrary. In doing so, Abbasi’s telling becomes an all-American saga of ambitious rise without fall. The tragedy lies not in Trump’s climb to power, but in our failure to interject, a poignant commentary on the audience’s passive observance of history’s unfolding.
Initially scheduled to hit screens today, the eagerly anticipated “The Apprentice” has delayed its theatrical release in India following an uncut premiere the previous evening, leaving audiences worldwide eager for its official debut. Abbasi’s cinematic vision, powered by the formidable performances of Stan and Strong, promises a lingering reflection on America’s dalliance with ambition and moral dissolution.
