May 24, 2024
Ali Abbasi, the director of the new Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, has responded after the Trump campaign threatened legal action against the movie. “I don’t necessarily think this is a movie [Trump] would dislike, I don’t think he’d necessarily like it, but I think he would be surprised,” Abbasi told press. “I would offer to go and meet him and have a chat afterward.” By: K Dass.
Cannes - The Apprentice is a 2024 film directed by Ali Abbasi and written by
Gabriel Sherman. It stars Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, exploring Trump’s
real estate career in New York during the 1970s and 80s. The film also features
Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, and Martin Donovan.
Set during Trump’s
early business years, it focuses on his relationship with Roy Cohn, a New York
City prosecutor known for working with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the
Second Red Scare. Described as a “mentor-protégé narrative that documents the
start of an American dynasty and tackles themes including power, corruption,
and deception,” the movie paints an unflinching yet nuanced portrait of the
former US president.
Sebastian Stan’s
portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice has garnered praise for its
authenticity. While it’s challenging to fully capture a public figure’s
nuances, Stan’s performance has been well-received by audiences and critics
alike. Keep in mind that artistic interpretations may not perfectly mirror reality,
but Stan’s portrayal offers a compelling glimpse into Trump’s early business
years.
The film premiered at
the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2024. The critical response has been
positive, with an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.