The Apprentice: A Film That Falls Short of Its Goal

A review of The Apprentice, a film that attempts to dramatize the origin story of Donald Trump, but falls short of its goal.
The Apprentice: A Film That Falls Short of Its Goal

The Apprentice: A Film That Falls Short of Its Goal

The Apprentice, a film that attempts to dramatize the origin story of Donald Trump, falls short of its goal. Despite a strong performance from Sebastian Stan as Trump, the film fails to provide any new insights into the former president’s life.

Donald Trump

The film’s script, written by Gabriel Sherman, lacks depth and nuance, relying on broad strokes to paint a picture of Trump’s early life. The film’s director, Abbasi, seems more interested in showcasing his own provocative style than in exploring the complexities of Trump’s character.

Roy Cohn

Jeremy Strong shines as Roy Cohn, the notorious lawyer who mentored Trump. Strong brings a level of depth and humanity to the role, making Cohn a more interesting and complex character than Trump.

The film’s cinematography, handled by Kasper Tuxen, is noteworthy, capturing the gaudy, over-the-top aesthetic of 1970s New York City. However, the film’s score is often jarring and intrusive, detracting from the overall viewing experience.

Donald Trump and Roy Cohn

Ultimately, The Apprentice feels like a missed opportunity. With a more nuanced script and a more thoughtful approach to its subject matter, this film could have been something truly special. As it stands, it’s a shallow, unsatisfying exploration of a fascinating topic.

“The Apprentice” doesn’t do anything to suggest that the most notorious prosecutor in American history wasn’t a self-loathing ghoul whose lust to dominate a world that didn’t love him made his country a worse place for everyone who’s had to live in it since…

Donald Trump

The Apprentice is a film that promises more than it delivers. Despite its strong performances and interesting cinematography, it ultimately falls short of its goal, failing to provide any real insight into the life of Donald Trump.