The Apprentice
If you’re expecting a movie that attacks Trump, you’ll be disappointed. But you’ll be just as disappointed if you’re looking for a film that celebrates him. Much like the man himself, this movie is divisive. And perhaps because of that, it never quite excels, despite some remarkable performances.
I went in expecting this middle ground. On one hand, the film was initially financed by a billionaire friend of Trump. On the other hand, it’s directed by Ali Abbasi, someone I’d imagine would have his own insights on Trump to share.
For some time, the movie has been criticized by Trump supporters, but honestly, I don’t see why. It actually shows a human side to him that he himself never shown in any of his actions, and the negative aspects are nothing beyond what we already know about him.
Sebastian Stan felt like an odd choice for the role at first, and as the movie began, I was convinced he didn’t fit. He didn’t feel like the caricature of Trump we see in the real world. But as the film progressed, he gradually grew into the role. His subtle mannerisms hinted at how Trump evolved into the character we know today and that was yet another way to show that maybe he was not always what he is today.
Stan’s portrayal becomes even more interesting when compared to Jeremy Strong’s Roy Cohn. The dynamic between them is fantastic, and as the balance of power shifts and the portrayal of “evil” becomes all the more real and infectious as one becomes the monster that once the other was.
This is a movie that had the potential to be much more. It could have gone deeper into revealing the true colors of the people involved, showing how greed and corruption are contagious and transformative.
One of my favorite aspects was the documentary-style approach. It felt like a historical record, capturing not only Trump’s transformation but America’s as well. But just when it starts to get really interesting, the movie ends. That was the biggest flaw for me—it had a responsibility to dig deeper and show the world who Trump truly is and what he represents.
What do you think? Is this movie positive or negative for Trump?
