How do you accurately portray one of the most polarizing figures in modern history? That’s the challenge facing the upcoming film “The Apprentice,” which aims to capture the formative years that shaped Donald Trump into the larger-than-life real estate mogul and politician we know today.
The film, directed by Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi, takes viewers back to the 1970s and ’80s, chronicling Trump’s relationship with his notorious mentor, Roy Cohn, a ruthless lawyer who is credited with molding the young Trump into the uncompromising, win-at-all costs figure he would become.
Bringing Trump’s Origin Story to Life
Portrayed by Sebastian Stan, the young Trump is shown breaking away from his father’s shadow and being taken under Cohn’s wing, played with electrifying intensity by Jeremy Strong. Cohn allegedly instilled in Trump the three rules that would define his ethos during this pivotal period: “Attack. Attack. Attack.” Admit nothing. Deny everything. Claim victory and never admit defeat.”
These principles are on full display throughout the film, as the audience watches the seeds of Trump’s infamous combative persona and single-minded pursuit of wealth and power begin to take root.
Exploring the Trump-Cohn Relationship
What makes “The Apprentice” so compelling is its uncompromising examination of the dynamic between Trump and Cohn, which the film’s screenwriter, Gabriel Sherman, describes as the “Doctor Frankenstein who created the real estate developer-turned-politician Donald Trump.”
The audience gains a deeper understanding of how Cohn’s cynical worldview and win-at-all-costs mentality imprinted on the young, ambitious Trump, shaping the cutthroat tactics and unapologetic self-interest that would define his rise to prominence through their interactions.
A Devastating Portrait Of A Monomaniac
Importantly, the film makes no attempt to psychologize or humanize Trump, instead opting for a straightforward, almost clinical depiction of his single-minded drive to become “very rich, richer than his father.”
As one reviewer notes, “The Apprentice” paints a “devastating picture of a monomaniac”—a portrait that may prove difficult for some viewers to stomach, especially in an election year when Trump’s divisive rhetoric and controversial actions remain at the forefront of the national discourse.
The Enduring Appeal of the Trump Narrative
Yet, the film’s director, Ali Abbasi, suggests that the Trump story continues to resonate because it speaks to a desire among some Americans to return to a “fictional America, where everything was still good and everyone had enough money for everything and America was the promised land.”
Even in the face of Trump’s well-documented lies, unscrupulous behavior, and disregard for norms and laws, Abbasi argues that his supporters are willing to overlook these flaws as long as his goals align with their own nostalgic vision of the country.
A Cautionary Tale For The Trump Era
Ultimately, “The Apprentice” serves as a cautionary tale, not just about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrosive influence of power but also about the enduring allure of a charismatic demagogue who is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.
The film’s unflinching portrayal of Trump’s origins is sure to spark debate and discussion as the nation grapples with the lasting legacy of his turbulent tenure, even though its impact on public opinion is yet unknown.
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