The Apprentice features two outstanding performances. An Oscar nominated for Best Actor, Sebastian Stan as the young Donald Trump and an Oscar nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Jeremy Strong as his take no prisoners lawyer / mentor, Roy Cohn.
It depicts the alleged corruption and coercion that was used to create the Trump Tower in a run down 1980's New York City. While also exploring Donald's troubled relationship with his father, Fred Trump Sr (Martin Donovan) and his courtship / failing relationship with his then model wife, Ivana (Maria Bakalova.)
Stan never falls into parody, which is a hard thing to do.
The film is shot like a horror movie with an unsettling score, depicting controversial scenes such as an alleged rape from Trump to his then wife (which has been refuted by Ivana in later years) and Donald allegedly being addicted to diet pills before undergoing liposuction.
The impact Cohn had on Trump was monumental with his ruthless three rules for success, engaging the two time President. It seems that Cohn would do anything to win.
The Apprentice is a well shot, well acted drama that remains fascinating throughout. If only it went into more detail about his later life. [The Apprentice TV show and his presidency aren't covered.] It stops short.
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DIRECTED BY: Ali Abbasi. SCREENPLAY BY: Gabriel Sherman. RUNNING TIME: 122 minutes. CERTIFICATE: 15 / R. USA.
