Starring: Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, Martin Donovan
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Runtime: 122 mins. Reviewed in Oct 2024
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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The story of how a young Donald Trump started his real-estate business in 1970s and 1980s New York with the helping hand of infamous lawyer Roy Cohn.
Once upon a time, there was a young American, ambitious, a touch tentative… And this was in 1974-1984. And the young American, from age 28 to 38, was Donald Trump. And, as they say, this is the beginning of his story. But, of course, we know what happened in years to come. And, as The Apprentice is released in mid-October 2024, there is an atmosphere of apprehension of what is to come on election day.
This is an interesting film. The first comment should be in praise of Stan for his impersonation of Trump – the look, the hair, the swagger, the various tics, the tone of voice, his increasing apprehension about his weight, all looking authentic. The screenplay, by Gabriel Sherman (who wrote The Loudest Voice, the telling television series on Fox News’ Roger Ailes, played by Russell Crowe) is strong enough, along with Stan’s performance, to show how Trump ‘developed’ in the times of Nixon’s downfall (no mention of Jimmy Carter) to the time of Reagan’s re-election. Trump had moved from huge ambitions through politicking and power contacts and manoeuvres to the achievement of the Trump Tower and casinos in Atlantic City.
But, the key figure in this film is that of notorious lawyer and power manager, Roy Cohn, a most telling performance from Strong (Succession). When Trump approached Cohn tentatively for advice, Cohn took a shine to him, becoming something of a patron, advice, fixing, manipulation, and instilling principles that, repeated at the end of this film, Trump incorporated into his attack, attack, attack, say what you like about your opponent, never admit defeat style.
Another interesting character in the film is his father Fred (Donovan) ruthlessly relentless, condemning of his older son, Fred, an airline pilot who cannot live up to expectations, his demands on Donald, not believing in him and then shocked by the successful results of Roy Cohn’s interventions.
There are memories of Cohn’s interventions in the McCarthy era, the Rosenbergs going to the electric chair (and a moment of dialogue where Cohn rejects the appeal against the death penalty for a mother and declares that is no excuse for betrayal of country and therefore she should be executed). There is his closeted homosexuality, his denials, a scene of a birthday party hosted by Trump in Florida and Cohn’s disillusionment with his protégé. And his television denial that he had AIDS, was dying of liver cancer.
There are some moments when Trump might have been a touch humane, the attraction to the celebrated model, Ivana (Bakalova), declaring his love for her, the marriage, the birth of Donald Jr – but, he grows tired of her, wanting to discard her, sexually aggressive, finding new partners. With his subsequent career and court cases with women, it is amazing how his followers, even fundamentalist Christians, can be so forgiving and dismissive of his moral misbehaviour.
But, the focus of the film is on building, development, clashes with the city of New York, his manipulation of finances for tax breaks, the ignoring of the protests of ordinary people evicted, losing jobs… Which means that The Apprentice will be viewed in partisan ways by those who believe in Donald Trump and by those who remember his presidency and dread a further presidency.
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