This year’s Cannes Film Festival in southern France saw the premiere of many highly anticipated films like “Kinds of Kindness” and “Megalopolis.” Surprisingly, audiences were found lining up around the block for a small film directed by Iranian filmmaker, Ali Abbasi. This film was none other than “The Apprentice,” a candid and shocking look at the career of one of the most controversial political figures of the century: former President Donald Trump. Sebastian Stan completely morphs into Trump for what Variety called “2024’s Most Controversial Movie.”
A biopic about someone as divisive as Trump seems like a surefire way to repulse certain audience demographics. “The Apprentice” runs the risk of never being a universally loved film, but it did capture the attention of the Cannes Film Festival.
The film follows a young Trump (Stan) as he climbs the social ladder of New York City in the ’70s, trying everything possible to fulfill his potential as a businessman. The film also explores his friendship with notorious shady lawyer Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong from “Succession.” Maria Bakalova’s performance as Ivana Trump, Trump’s first wife, is also incredibly dynamic and believable.
Casting is one of the film’s greatest strengths. Strong specifically should definitely be in the running for some big awards. Strong plays the late lawyer with a staggering mix of apathy and hostility, truly blurring the line between himself and his character. He gives a bleak, chilling performance. For a while, the public wondered how Marvel actor Stan could possibly play a historical figure like Trump, but by the ending scene, the resemblance is downright uncanny. The way he dresses, speaks, moves his hands, repeats certain words — it’s like looking at real footage of Trump.
The film stands out amongst other biopics because it is less of a love letter to the subject and more of an exposé or hit piece. He is not introduced as the controversial, arrogant tyrant many audiences see him as today. He starts out as a young, ambitious and, at times, very charismatic young man with big dreams. It is almost jarring to see him portrayed this way, knowing the person he would eventually become.
For the majority of the film, it is hard not to root for young Trump until one very shocking sexual assault scene in the third act reminds audiences whose origin story this is. In this scene, Trump assaults his then-wife, Ivana, in their NYC penthouse. This expository scene is the most likely reason why Trump is now pursuing legal action against the film.
Soon after its premiere, the fate of “The Apprentice” was put in jeopardy. The day after its first screening, Trump announced that he would be pursuing legal action against the film and its producers. Audiences at Cannes rushed to see the film as soon as they could out of fear that it would never receive a release date and fade into obscurity. Luckily, those fears were put to rest when it was recently announced that “The Apprentice” would premiere nationwide on Oct. 11, including at Ithaca’s own Cinemapolis.
“The Apprentice” is not just a great piece of topical commentary, but also a great film that is sure to entertain even the most apolitical of audience members through its brilliant casting, suspenseful script and fast-paced story. Considering the film’s at-times graphic nature, it is sure to be in conversations with the election this coming November. Regardless of political affiliation, “The Apprentice” is a compelling film that simply demands to be seen.
