top of page
randazzojj123

Film Review: The Apprentice

Welcome back to the blog readers. As I have already mentioned once before, we are thick into awards season, where all the big Oscar-nominated films will be releasing. I will be covering the reveals of the nominations and winners, just as I have done for 2023 and 2024 so don't you worry. One of the films looking to put its hat in the race is a biopic about everyone's favorite person right now: Donald Trump. The man himself tried to get the release canceled, so of course I had to see it. Would it be just for spiting the man himself, or would I enjoy myself in this film? Stick around to find out.


The Apprentice was directed by Ali Abbasi from a screenplay by Gabriel Sherman. The film stars Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, and Martin Donovan. In the film, a young Donald Trump begins his rise in the business sector of New York City as he is introduced to and builds a relationship with controversial lawyer Roy Cohn who begins to negatively influence him.


Before I go any further with this review, I need to make a few things clear. I know this is a film that will rustle a lot of feathers and the subject of the film is in the news in more ways than one, but I want you to know that I went into this film and am writing this review from a solely unbiased political point of view. As a bit of a disclaimer, this film in no way delves into his political career and I will make no mention of it. This review will be of the film as an art piece only.


I did allude to it in the introductory paragraph, but Trump and his team did try to get the release of this film canceled because it is not a positive portrayal of the former (hoping it stays that way) President of the United States. Fortunately, art always finds a way to win and we are able to see this film. Especially since this is one that has some awards buzz going around, and I have always been interested in what this story was going to pertain. I think the film is fascinating in more ways than one. Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong give award-worthy performances and the script is fire.


I don't know about you, but Sebastian Stan will always be Bucky Barnes to me. This will always be the character I equate him with, even as the character makes his return in the upcoming Thunderbolts* (2025). But I may have to make room in my heart for another Stan performance, and it is not his turn in A Different Man (2024) (also a film I am waiting to see). It is his performance in this film as Donald Trump that may just earn him his first Oscar nomination. I have never seen a more stunning transformation from an actor into the character they are playing. Stan works overtime to make you believe he not just plays, but is the cold and ruthless mogul that will utilize any dirty tricks he can to get ahead. I cannot believe how well he plays this role. Now I'm excited to see A Different Man.


Finally, in terms of performances, I need to praise the performance of Jeremy Strong as the controversial lawyer Roy Cohn. Strong is no stranger to awards and award buzz, as he is a two-time Emmy nominee and one-time winner, one-time Golden Globe nominee and one-time winner, and a one-time Screen Actors Guild nominee for his role in Succession (2019-23), and I believe he should be looking to add one-time Oscar nominee to that mantle. As Cohn, Strong displays a ruthlessness that I have never seen from an actor at this level. He owns a level of command that I have not seen in an actor this year. Like I said, I would be surprised if he is not one of the five Best Supporting Actor nominees.


Finally, I want to take a second and talk about the script and the writing of the film. Gabriel Sherman had a monumental task in capturing a tumultuous time in the life of the former President where he became wildly successful but extremely controversial. Sherman's writing in this film is impeccable because he knows how to take the past and blend it with what is now the present. From references to future events that we know to be true and the attention to accuracy and details, this makes for one of the most prevalent scripts of the year and a possible contender for a Best Original Screenplay nomination.


In conclusion, The Apprentice presents a certain swagger about itself that is brilliantly written and acted as a companion piece to the downfall of the former President of the United States. Thank you for reading, and I will see you for the next post.

0 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Film Review: Smile 2

Welcome back to the blog readers. If you remember from one of the very first posts I put on my blog (in which I ranked my favorite and...

Film Review: Saturday Night

Welcome back to the blog readers. If you know me, you know a good drama film is all I love. Look at two of my favorite films of all time...

Comments


bottom of page