^{After directing two episodes of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” director Ali Abbasi shifts to the biopic genre with “The Apprenticeship” from Briarcliff Entertainment. Gabriel Sherman pens the film’s script, which focuses on a young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan), eager to make his name as a hungry second son of a wealthy family in 1970s New York.}

^{Initially, it is evident that Donald is inexperienced and presents a significant challenge to his father, Fred (Martin Donovan). However, his trajectory shifts when he comes under the mentorship of Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), the formidable attorney who played a crucial role in developing Donald Trump’s public persona. Cohn recognizes in Trump the ideal protégé: an individual characterized by raw ambition, an intense drive for success, and a willingness to take necessary measures to achieve victory. The film also focuses on Trump’s romance with his first wife, Ivana (Maria Bakalova).}

^{I had some initial reservations about checking out “The Apprentice”; even before he became President, I was never a fan of Donald Trump. However, as a fan of the lead actor, I relented. Since his performance in “I, Tonya,” I have maintained the perspective that Sebastian Stan is an actor who merits greater recognition beyond his involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.}

^{In this film, Stan demonstrates exceptional capability in action roles, convincingly embodying a youthful Donald Trump. His portrayal effectively captures Trump’s awkwardness, with the alignment of his facial expressions and body language enhancing the character’s authenticity. One of the early scenes that was particularly impactful is a restaurant encounter, which illustrates Trump’s lack of a defined identity and evokes a sense of pity from the audience.}

^{Maria Bakalova, an Oscar nominee, also delivers a compelling performance. The film refrains from reducing her character to a superficial role, allowing Bakalova to exhibit depth and complexity. A notable moment occurs when Trump attempts to secure Ivanka’s loyalty with a signing bonus for marrying him. This scene underscores how Trump’s upbringing and his molding by Roy Cohn to prioritize wealth and power inform his troubling worldview, and Bakalova excels in this pivotal moment,}

^{Jeremy Strong notably excels in his role, effectively commanding attention throughout the film. Although I possess limited knowledge of Roy Cohn, Strong’s portrayal may earn him a place among the most esteemed supporting performances this awards season. He adeptly conveys the internal contradictions of Cohn—a lawyer who exhibits contempt for the legal system, a Jewish individual who perpetuates antisemitism, and a closeted gay man who disparages homosexuality publicly.}

^{A particularly significant scene features Cohn instructing a young Trump on his three guiding principles: 1) attack, attack, attack; 2) deny everything, admit nothing; and 3) regardless of the outcome, always claim victory. These principles illuminate Trump’s current ideological framework. While the film experiences a decline in momentum during its latter half, it remains a valuable viewing experience due to the exceptional performances of its three leading actors. Ultimately, “The Apprentice” is likely to provoke strong reactions from both supporters and opponents of Trump.}

^{Final Grade: B.}

^{“The Apprentice” is available for purchase now digitally and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 17, 2024.}