Review of Trump Biopic ‘The Apprentice’ Likens Ex-President to Frankenstein

The highly anticipated biopic “The Apprentice” directed by Ali Abbasi is generating buzz as reviews begin to roll in. The film, centered on the early life of former President Donald Trump, has faced considerable opposition from Trump and his supporters, who have attempted to halt its release.

Critics from Entertainment Weekly have already begun sharing their thoughts, notably drawing a parallel between Trump and Frankenstein’s monster. They emphasize Roy Cohn, portrayed by Jeremy Strong, as the metaphorical mad scientist responsible for creating this “monster.” The review elucidates:

“As Dr. Frankenstein once learned, the problem with creating a monster is that eventually, you have to confront the horrors you have wrought.”

The narrative captures the dynamics between young Trump, played by Sebastian Stan, and his mentor Cohn. Entertainment Weekly describes this relationship vividly:

“As a young man desperate to impress his father, Fred (Martin Donovan), Trump finds an unexpected ally in notorious lawyer Roy Cohn, infamous for sending the Rosenbergs to the electric chair at the height of the Red Scare. Cohn takes Trump under his corrupted wing, teaching him the three rules by which he lives: 1) Attack, attack, attack; 2) Admit nothing, deny everything; and 3) No matter what happens, you claim victory and never admit defeat. It’s a sickeningly familiar playbook to anyone who’s watched the news in the past decade.”

The review of “The Apprentice” is overall positive, awarding the film a B+ grade. The strongest accolades are reserved for the actors embodying real-life figures. Jeremy Strong’s performance is highlighted for his ability to humanize even the most morally compromised characters. Sebastian Stan is praised for steering clear of exaggerated late-night caricatures of Trump, opting instead for a gradual transformation into the more recognizable figure.

Maria Bakalova’s portrayal of Ivana Trump also garners significant praise. The review notes the interesting synchronicity of Bakalova’s role, given her rise to fame from an onscreen interaction with Rudy Giuliani in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.”

“The Apprentice” is set to make its North American premiere at the Telluride Film Festival before its official release on October 11. Audiences are eagerly waiting to see how this cinematic interpretation of Trump’s formative years will resonate, especially given the contentious political landscape.

Source: Entertainment Weekly