I initially wasn't planning to watch this film, and I’ll be honest, my political views played a part in that decision, especially after reading some early reviews that suggested the movie offered a “sympathetic” portrayal of its central figure—a conclusion that now seems completely baffling to me. However, I reconsidered after learning about the recent Oscar nominations recognizing Sebastian Stan for his lead performance and Jeremy Strong’s supporting role. It was during that viewing that I realized I shouldn't have let my politics influence whether or not I saw it. Director Ali Abbasi’s fourth film is a genuine surprise among 2024 releases, one that certainly warrants more attention and praise than it has gotten so far. This “origin story” chronicles the rapid ascent of New York real estate magnate Donald Trump (Stan) during the 1970s and 80s, showing plainly how he developed into the person he is today under the guidance of lawyer Roy Cohn (Strong), a notorious political operative who gained notoriety as a close associate of Sen. Joseph McCarthy during the anti-Communist hearings in Congress. Cohn, someone who seemed willing to do anything for himself and his clients, taught his young protégé how to succeed in business and life, events detailed here without holding back. In that regard, it’s probably most accurate to describe this film as an education about the man who later became President, despite numerous well-known shortcomings. The story is effectively told thanks to the excellent (and largely unheralded) screenwriting of Gabriel Sherman, only his second time writing for a feature film, along with the movie's skillful editing, authentic period design, and superb performances from the two leads, especially Strong. While the film does provide a strong look at Trump’s early career in business, it could have been improved when exploring his personal life, particularly his complicated relationship with his wife Ivana (Maria Bakalova) and his family dynamics, both of which would have benefited from more development. Still, “The Apprentice” is genuinely one of the best films released this year. It’s a shame that more people didn't see it before the last election.

Source on TMDB