The Apprentice
2024
****
Director: Ali Abbasi
Cast: Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Martin Donovan, Maria Bakalova, Catherine McNally, Charlie Carrick, Ben Sullivan, Mark Rendall, Joe Pingue, Ron Lea, Edie Inksetter, Matt Baram
In the early 1970s, ruthless lawyer Roy Cohn teaches the young Donald Trump to always attack, deny any wrongdoing, and claim victory even in defeat. This compelling biographical drama chronicles Trump’s transformation from an insecure businessman into a self-absorbed real estate tycoon. The film doesn't paint a pretty picture of the future president, particularly in its portrayal of his marriage to Ivana, but it handles the material with class and subtlety. Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong deliver terrific, understated performances as Trump and Cohn, respectively.
