In the film The Apprentice, Danish-Iranian director Ali Abbasi dives into Donald Trump’s formative years, long before he became the 45th President of the United States or the face of the reality TV show The Apprentice. The film explores the critical relationship between a young, ambitious Trump and his ruthless mentor, Roy Cohn, the notorious lawyer and political fixer who shaped the real estate mogul’s approach to power and success.
A Mentor’s Influence: Roy Cohn and the Rise of Trump
The heart of The Apprentice lies in Trump’s relationship with Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong, known for his portrayal of Kendall Roy in Succession. Cohn, who once served as chief counsel to Senator Joseph McCarthy during the infamous Red Scare, later became a power broker in New York City. Through Cohn, Trump learns a brutal set of survival rules that would guide him throughout his career: “Attack, attack, attack,” “Admit nothing, deny everything,” and “Claim victory, never admit defeat.”
Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of a younger Trump captures his early ambition and charm, providing a nuanced look at the real estate heir as he works to gain legitimacy and favor in the cutthroat world of New York business. Stan’s performance avoids parody, opting instead to reveal a character whose drive to succeed pushes him to emulate Cohn’s unscrupulous tactics.
Power, Politics, and Transformation
While Abbasi’s film is not a traditional biopic, it paints a vivid picture of how Trump’s early experiences, particularly his ties to Cohn, influenced his rise. Set against the backdrop of 1970s and 80s New York, Trump’s journey from the son of Queens developer Fred Trump to a prominent figure in Manhattan is intertwined with Cohn’s machinations, including his legal assistance in a discrimination case involving the Trump family’s real estate business.
Cohn’s role in Trump’s development isn’t limited to legal matters; he also shapes Trump’s public image, helping him navigate social circles, pressuring officials, and even upgrading his wardrobe with expensive Brioni suits. Cohn’s notorious parties, frequented by high-profile figures like Andy Warhol, are another glimpse into the influence he wielded over New York’s elite.
The film’s pivotal moments, including Trump’s successful launch of the Grand Hyatt hotel on 42nd Street, highlight how Cohn’s guidance propelled Trump into the public eye. But the movie also examines the personal toll, particularly on Trump’s relationship with his first wife, Ivana Trump, played by Maria Bakalova. Their marriage deteriorates in one of the film’s most shocking scenes, where Ivana accuses Trump of sexual assault during a particularly volatile argument, a claim she later recanted in real life.
The Unfinished Legacy of Roy Cohn’s Lessons
The film leaves viewers with a lingering question: How exactly did this version of Trump—hungry for power and willing to go to any lengths to win—become the political figure who shocked the world by winning the presidency in 2016? While The Apprentice doesn’t fully bridge the gap between Trump’s early years and his eventual leap into politics, it powerfully showcases the lessons Trump learned from Cohn, lessons that would continue to define his public and private persona.
With its R-rating for sexual content, nudity, language, and depictions of drug use, The Apprentice is a provocative and bold take on a controversial figure. While it might not change anyone’s opinion of Trump, it offers insight into how he became the man we now know, and how power and influence were wielded to catapult him to the highest office in the land.
The Apprentice, distributed by Briarcliff Entertainment, runs 120 minutes. It delivers a compelling, though incomplete, examination of one of the most influential figures in modern American politics. Rating: 2.5 stars out of 4.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
