Critics praise “The Apprentice” biopic, but former President Donald Trump threatens to sue due to its content, creating a stir at Cannes.
Critics broadly praise The Apprentice, but the former president threatens to sue over its content.
Titled The Apprentice, the biopic explores Donald Trump’s early career as an ambitious property developer in 1970s and 80s New York. A spokesman for Trump denounced the film, which includes a controversial scene depicting him raping his first wife Ivana, calling it “garbage,” “pure fiction,” and “election interference by Hollywood elites.”
The movie opens with a disclaimer stating that many of its events are fictionalized. Its release coincides with Trump’s ongoing hush-money trial in New York as he prepares for another presidential election in November.
The title partly references the TV series that Mr. Trump hosted for over a decade starting in 2004. However, the film is set several decades earlier, during Mr. Trump’s rise as a real estate developer.
Sebastian Stan, known for his roles in “Pam & Tommy,” “Dumb Money,” and as the Winter Soldier in various MCU films, portrays the former president. Jeremy Strong, famed for his role in “Succession,” plays his ruthless mentor and lawyer, Roy Cohn.
According to AFP, the film “paints an unflinching but nuanced portrait of the former US president.” It is said to feature “rape, erectile dysfunction, baldness, and betrayal,” beginning with a sympathetic depiction of a headstrong but naive social climber. As the story progresses, the film explores Mr. Trump’s “decency being eroded as he learns the dark arts of dealmaking and tastes power.”
The director, Ali Abbasi, envisions several intense events unfolding behind closed doors in his film. One particularly distressing scene portrays Mr. Trump committing rape against Ivana.
During their actual divorce proceedings, Ivana had accused Mr. Trump of raping her, although she later withdrew the allegation. She passed away in 2022.
Abbasi, speaking to Vanity Fair ahead of the premiere, expressed his intention to create a rebellious version of a historical film, focusing less on factual accuracy and more on a punk rock approach.
Following its screening at Cannes, the movie received an eight-minute standing ovation, a typical audience reaction at the festival.
Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director, stated that legal action would be pursued to counter what he described as “blatantly false assertions” made by the filmmakers.
Cheung labeled the film as “pure fiction” that sensationalizes debunked lies. He framed the release of the film as election interference by Hollywood elites, asserting Trump’s inevitable return to the White House. In response, Abbasi suggested that Trump’s team should reserve judgment until they’ve seen the movie, hinting that Trump might actually find it intriguing.
The premiere of “The Apprentice” at the Cannes Film Festival coincided with Trump’s trial in Manhattan, where he faces allegations of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to Stormy Daniels and any alleged sexual encounter.
Critics offered generally favorable assessments of the film after its debut.
Kevin Maher of the Times praised it as “the Donald Trump movie you didn’t realize you were missing: rich in empathy yet unyielding in its scrutiny,” awarding it four stars.
Deadline’s Pete Hammond hailed it as “a clever, incisive, and unexpectedly illuminating origin tale.”
Hammond clarified, “This isn’t a character assassination of Trump. Instead, it portrays a figure driven yet socially awkward, striving for paternal approval, uncertain but resolute in his ambition, and occasionally oddly endearing.”
Robbie Collin of the Telegraph commended Strong’s performance as “exceptional,” though noted that Stan’s portrayal might have benefited from a more exaggerated approach given Trump’s lack of depth.
Overall, the film received positive reviews, with particular acclaim for Strong’s acting prowess.
Variety’s Owen Gleiberman praised the lead actor’s performance, calling it remarkable. He highlighted how the actor captured Trump’s distinctive body language, from his lumbering gait to his stiffly held hands, along with his facial expressions.
The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw, however, wasn’t as impressed, giving the film a two-star rating. He criticized it for reverting to portraying the old, comedic version of Donald Trump, which he found no longer amusing and irrelevant.
Looking ahead to audience reactions, the Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney predicted that liberals might find the film disturbing, seeing it as a depiction of the making of a monstrous figure. Meanwhile, supporters of Trump might mistakenly interpret it as an endorsement of their leader, known for his ruthless persona.
Donald Trump has grabbed the attention of the audience and critics alike. The film has been the talk of the town, with its portrayal of the former president stirring up quite a bit of debate. From the red carpet to the after-parties, this movie has been the hot topic of conversation. The buzz around this biopic is only going to grow as audiences anticipate its release and brace themselves for the inevitable critiques. Whether you’re a fan of Trump or not, there’s no denying that this film has everyone talking. Let’s see how this ambitious project plays out in the cinematic landscape!
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