531 words, 3 minutes read time.
The Apprentice delivers a gripping portrayal of Donald Trump and his mentor, the infamous attorney Roy Cohn. The actors Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn embody these larger-than-life figures with uncanny precision. Stan captures Trump’s bluster, vanity, and ruthless ambition. The portrayal of Cohn feels chillingly true to life. Watching these two actors together brings out a fascinating blend of admiration, manipulation, and a shared love of power. Cohn takes pride in Trump. Yet, Trump becomes ruthless enough to cast him aside. This is one of the film’s most intriguing dynamics.
Trump’s vanity is vividly portrayed, adding another layer to his complex character. Throughout the film, he’s shown checking his reflection in every mirror he passes, adjusting his appearance with an obsessive focus. The film goes as far as to depict him undergoing cosmetic procedures. These include surgery to hide his bald patch and fat-reduction operations. This attention to his physical image shows a deep insecurity. It also reveals a need to craft a public persona that aligns with his vision of success and dominance.
As someone fascinated by Roy Cohn’s career, this film only deepened that intrigue. Cohn’s life was an astonishing, if tragic, blend of influence, power, and contradiction. Cohn started as a prosecutor in the McCarthy era. In his infamous legal career, he used manipulation and intimidation. He sought to control his clients and allies alike. His mastery over New York politics—and its corruption—is shown in unsettling detail. Through his vast network, Cohn knew the personal secrets of many powerful individuals. He often blackmailed them. Despite this, he shared similar hidden desires. Cohn’s use of private information to wield power and control defined his character. It paints a disturbing portrait of the alliances he cultivated, including with Trump.
The film also delves into the tragedy of Cohn’s personal life. When he’s depicted as dying of AIDS, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy. I felt even more sympathy for his boyfriend. He suffers alongside Cohn, caught in a life marked by Cohn’s turbulent choices. Watching a man who was both feared and loathed face his end is deeply affecting. He faces his end with only a few loyal, damaged souls around him.
The rape allegation depicted against Trump has generated substantial controversy, adding a dark and unsettling dimension to his character. The scene is graphic, deliberately raw, and intended to highlight the alleged abuses enabled by Trump’s position. The film doesn’t shy away from this implication. Many Trump supporters have voiced objections. They argue that it’s defamatory and overly biased. They claim this traumatic scene lacks corroborative evidence. They believe it serves more as character assassination than storytelling. The film frames Trump in an unduly negative light.
The Apprentice doesn’t shy away from the complexities of its characters or the murky ethics of New York’s political landscape. It’s a challenging watch. It peels back layers of vanity, power, and betrayal. The viewer grapples with both admiration and revulsion. The film lays bare the relentless drive, insecurity, and flawed humanity in its subjects, making for a hauntingly powerful experience.
Reviewed by Pat Harrington
Picture Credit
By IMP Awards, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77844139
