THE APPRENTICE

US, 2024, 122 minutes, Colour.

Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, Martin Donovan, Catherine McNally, Charlie Carrick, Ben Sullivan, Mark Rendall.

Directed by Ali Abbasi.

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.

For audiences observing, this is a very interesting film. The first comment should be in praise of Sebastian 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 very telling television series on Fox News’ Roger Ailes, played by Russell Crowe, the accusations of sexual harassment and his ousting by Rupert Murdoch, The Loudest Voice) 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 Jeremy 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 managing, attack, attack, attack, say what you like about your opponent, never admit defeat.

Another interesting character in the film is his father, Fred, played by Martin 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.

And, 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  t declareshat 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 (Maria 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, with Mayor ced Loch, offering financial investment and incentives, manipulating for tax breaks, 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.

1. Donald Trump? Audience responses? His loyal followers? His critics? American response? Outside the US?
2. The reality of Donald Trump, his family, money deals, real estate, achievements, television show, The Art of the Deal, Ivana, the marriage, his son? 1974-1984?
3. The facts of his family, his father coming to America, success, business? Fred as the older son, the pilot, disappointment to his father, the family dinner, his death? Donald, following his father’s footsteps, interest in real estate, building the Trump Tower, New York, Atlantic City? Success? Marriage and courtship?
4. The audience knowing the aftermath of 1984, 30 years later and the presidency, the next election and the uprising on January 6? His campaigning in 2024?
5. 1974-1984, the period, Nixon and the interviews, his resignation, Watergate? No mention of Jimmy Carter and his presidency? The acclaim for Ronald Reagan, the Reagan era? New York politics, riots, poverty, building, investment in taxes and tax breaks, it, Mayor Ed Koch?
6. The performance and impersonation by Sebastian Stan? Look, manner, idiosyncrasies, touching the hair, Trump in his 20s, his look, ageing over the 10 years, becoming larger (and the issue and visuals of his surgery), his hair? Beginning more tentatively, the impact of his father, approaching Roy Cohn, the gradual change, success?
7. Audience response to Roy Cohn, knowledge about him, his reputation, the McCarthy era, his comment on the execution of the Rosenbergs and American loyalty? Stating that America was his client? Tough, closet homosexual, his companion, Russell, relationships with men? His social status, legal talent, his skills, advice, deals and manipulation, behind the scenes?
8. Donald Trump approaching Roy Cohn, not immediately accepted, Cohn’s invitation at the meal, accepting Trump, giving him his approval, a kind of surrogate son (and the implicit gay tones)? At the table, the gangsters, relying on Russell? The various meetings, his skills, in court, issues of taxes and investment, his taping people, exercising blackmail, with New York City officials and forcing decisions? The issue of the Commodore, Trump Tower, meetings and protests, the philosophy of investment, Trump becoming more confident?
9. Fred Trump, patriarch, success in business, relationship with his wife, her strong stances? The family dinner, the taunting of Fred? Spurning the pilot? Fred, approaching Donald, giving up the airline, ill, his death? The family morning? The Trump going to the hearings, not confident in Donald, surprise at Cohn’s success? Going older, senility?
10. Ivana, model, her girlfriends, attractive, her work, the encounters with Trump, his falling in love, the issue of the prenuptial arrangement, Cohn’s insistence, her almost giving up? Trump persuading her, the wedding in the celebration? Appearing in public? Trump falling out of love, the rape sequence, her account, the later denial? Appearing in public, but the hostility? Her son and trumps devotion?
11. The parties, the clubs? Trump naive, especially about Cohn? Seeing the gay activities and his shock?
12. Cohn and his asking for Russell and help, Trump agreeing, but avoiding Cohn, ousting Russell, Russell’s death? The issue of AIDS? Inviting Cohn to Florida, the birthday party, the gift of the cufflinks, Ivana explaining they were fake, Cohn and his speech, disillusionment, the cake? Cohn and the TV interviewer, the denial of being gay, liver cancer? His death?
13. The end, Cohn’s principles of attack, denigrate, never admit failure? The subsequent story of Donald Trump?