The Apprentice Movie Review: A Controversial Biopic of Donald Trump

The new movie, The Apprentice, gives us a glimpse into the younger years of Donald Trump, showing us how he became a business icon! What makes it so interesting? It shows the complex relationship between Trump and the infamous attorney Roy Cohn, and that is why the ending of the movie is so interesting to explore.

The Apprentice's Main Characters:

This biographical drama features Sebastian Stan, (known for his role as The Winter Soldier in the MCU), playing a younger Donald Trump. Jeremy Strong (from Succession), as Roy Cohn, gives this intriguing tale even more power.

The story of this epic duo gives a look into how this partnership was able to build Trump's early real-estate career, back in the 1970s and 1980s. After many delays and controversies the film has made its debut! You will see how Trump grew more successful as a businessman. Even though, you can't ignore how his humanity seems to suffer in the process as he uses this mentor’s brutal advice for his own gain.

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Trump's Closing Monologue:

Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn and Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump in The Apprentice Image

The film has some very notable moments to leave an impression! The last few minutes will certainly spark discussion!

Trump makes a statement when Tony Schwartz (known for his book Trump: The Art of the Deal) interviews Trump about his ambitions in life. He reveals what's really important to him and he speaks on three main rules about how he created his own business!

Be willing to put everything you own on the line.
Always stay positive even when the world tries to make you fall.
Keep that fighting spirit!

What's especially powerful about these last moments? You notice a very peculiar pattern that will raise many questions.

Those three rules are almost identical to what Roy Cohn taught Trump early on!
Trump keeps this very key part of the movie hidden, never discussing Roy Cohn’s importance, which says a lot about the complex partnership the two had! This seems like he has truly become this self-made man.

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Trump's Surgery: A Powerful Symbol

Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump in The Apprentice Image

Another major scene that shows Trump's actions that could shock fans or others might say it is something incredibly disturbing to witness.

A key scene takes us through a controversial subject as Trump gets plastic surgery! This scene shows how Trump seeks to transform his appearance!

He gets liposuction, which removes some fat from his stomach.
Then he undergoes surgery to make his hair thicker

The film’s directors made it explicit with painful imagery and detailed moments, focusing on Trump creating this “Frankenstein’s Monster” kind of effect on his humanity, stripping away every last human feature to maintain his perception as a polished figure.

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The Death Of Roy Cohn

Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump smiling in The Apprentice with the fresh RT symbol in the background Image

A pivotal point! And another controversy! Even more, audiences were impressed by this specific aspect of the story.

What's really striking about this movie is its boldness in covering taboo topics and what's shown as Roy Cohn’s struggle with his own health.

Cohn hid his illness while maintaining a reputation for hatred against others. This story focuses on his relationship and activities with several other men in an orgy
Even more so his illness and suffering in silence until he eventually dies in 1986 from AIDS. His lover Russell went through the same difficult and tragic moments,

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Trump's Relationship With Family:

Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn in The Apprentice Image

This biographical film highlights many aspects of Trump’s life, even the struggles of maintaining relationships is one of the many complexities shown. It covers Trump's relationship with his father, Fred Trump and his older brother Fred Trump Jr, demonstrating this deep resentment towards Trump’s father and that cold detachment when his older brother suffered from addiction.

Even Fred Jr.’s death only served to increase Trump’s determination to rise through business showing this self-preserving desire for power and total dominance!

While the director Ali Abbasi has faced tons of backlash from many corners for making a film that’s perceived to negatively cast Trump. Abbasi insists he isn't doing a takedown! In an interview at Cannes Film Festival he made it clear that he isn't necessarily making a movie Trump will hate. In fact, Abbasi even offered to show Trump the film personally.

It looks like that offer was only extended though as the Trump campaign slammed this biographical film. Although, Trump hasn't released a public response. We can get a true picture from actor Jeremy Strong himself who was asked about what they had in mind to make the movie as powerful and compelling as it ended up. He states this clearly in an interview with The New York Times, they sought to give audiences a better view into a historical figure, giving them a more nuanced story than many think!

The Meaning Behind The Apprentice's Ending:

Maria Bakalova & Sebastian Stan as Ivana and Donald Trump in The Apprentice movie Image

The Apprentice isn’t just some documentary that wants to attack Trump or just create a one-sided argument!

The whole movie covers this interesting trajectory. From a man that may be thought of as capable of having real, emotional moments!

To someone whose ambition grew out of control to a point that he lost touch with humanity, only focused on wealth, dominance, power and his reputation.

Even Roy Cohn’s life plays into this narrative, showing the transformation these characters undertook as they came to embody a power hungry America.

Fans can really appreciate the movie and get insight on their personal relationships. "The Apprentice" is far more than some cheap attempt to damage Trump’s reputation, it provides audiences a chance to see one person's intense life as he came into the business world. You can decide what this biographical story truly is. Whether this movie resonates, be sure to catch this exciting biographical story! This special drama is playing at your local theaters!