‘The Apprentice’: The Untold Origin Story of Donald Trump

‘The Apprentice’ is a drama directed by Ali Abbasi about Donald Trump’s early years, featuring Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as his mentor Roy Cohn. The film portrays Trump’s ambition and the influence of Cohn on his rise to power. Premiering at Cannes amid legal threats from Trump, it explores themes of identity and ambition. Sherman, the screenwriter, offers a deeper look into Trump’s formative experiences that shaped his public persona.

‘The Apprentice’ is a film directed by Ali Abbasi, exploring the early years of Donald Trump, based on Gabriel Sherman’s screenplay. Sebastian Stan stars as a young Trump in the 1970s, with Jeremy Strong as his mentor Roy Cohn, illustrating the complex dynamics between them as they navigate ambition and the use of power. Maria Bakalova portrays Trump’s first wife, Ivana, enriching the narrative with personal insights from Trump’s formative years.

This dramatic piece premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, drawing scrutiny from Team Trump, who attempted legal action to prevent its release. Briarcliff Entertainment ultimately decided to distribute the film, which began screening in U.S. theaters just weeks before Trump’s electoral success.

Gabriel Sherman, who previously authored ‘The Loudest Voice in the Room,’ undertook this ambitious project inspired by Trump’s relationship with Cohn. Sherman noted Cohn’s influence on Trump, shaping how he maneuvered through the competitive world of real estate and politics. The screenplay, developed in 2017, sheds light on the formative years that defined Trump’s public persona.

In discussions surrounding the film, Strong and producer Amy Baer drew parallels to Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein,’ emphasizing the duality of ambition – a monster born from man’s desires. Sherman emphasized his aim to depict a different side of Trump, noting, “People think of Trump as this outrage machine, this hateful, divisive figure.” He sought to reveal Trump’s vulnerabilities and insecurities, presenting a more nuanced perspective of a figure shaped by the quest for power.

The film ‘The Apprentice’ serves as a cinematic interpretation of Donald Trump’s early career in real estate, focused on his mentorship by the controversial lawyer Roy Cohn. With a blend of biographical storytelling and creative imagination, it aims to illuminate the psychological attributes that contributed to Trump’s rise in wealth and notoriety. This origin story is a profound exploration of ambition, manipulation, and the complexities of personal identity set against the backdrop of late 20th-century New York.

In sum, ‘The Apprentice’ delves into the younger version of Donald Trump, encapsulating the mentorship that molded him into the figure we recognize today. The screenplay invites audiences to consider Trump’s character beyond the surface, challenging perceptions of his rise to power through the lens of personal ambition and mentorship. Through vibrant storytelling and character exploration, the film presents a compelling narrative about the intertwined destinies of Trump and Cohn.

Original Source: deadline.com