As "The Apprentice" (2024 release; 120 ,in) opens, it is the early 70s and young Donald Trump is spotted at a face restaurant by layer and fixer Roy Cohn. For reasons unclear and never really explained, Cohn decides to take Trump under his wings, with Trump becoming "the apprentice". At this point we are less than 10 minutes into the movie.
Couple of comments: this is the latest from Iranian director Ali Abbasi. ("Border"). He brings to the big screen a period in Trump's life covering roughly 15 (1972-1987). If you have followed politics in this country over the last 9 years, starting when Trump came down the moving stairs in Trump Tower to announce his candidacy for president, nothing in the movie comes as a big surprise, as it simply (re)confirms what we know of Trump. The magic is that is brought as if you were a fly on the wall. Not enough can be said of the amazing performance by Sebastien Stan, whose authenticity will blow you away. The rest of the cast is terrific as well, including Jeremy Strong (as Cohn), and up-and-coming Bulgarian actress Maria Bulkova (as Ivana). Kudos as well to the film makers for recreating the New York of the 19070s and 80s.
It will not surprise you when I mention that the movie is being reviled by Trump and the MAGA extremists (without of course actually having seen the movie), and Trump's lawyers tried all they could to stop the movie's release in the US, to no avail. "The Apprentice" premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival, to immediate acclaim. The movie is currently rated 77% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and that sounds about right to me. The movie opened in US theaters this weekend, and I couldn't wait to see it. The Saturday matinee showing where I saw this at the arthouse theater here in Cincinnati was attended nicely, with about 25-30 people attending. If you have an interest in knowing what Trump was like 40-50 years ago, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
