Awards season is now in full swing. Some of us will dust off our Ralph Lauren tuxedo in anticipation of a party invitation that never comes, leading to a night on the couch in front of the TV like Will Smith. Others go to work, like Outposters Mhatt watching The Apprentice.
While we sit around wondering if we should be nicer to Hollywood and then we might get invited to things, he’s watching the awards runners and riders to see if they are worth your time.
The Apprentice
Directed by Ali Abbasi and written by Gabriel Sherman, The Apprentice stars: Sebastian Stan, Mark Strong, Martin Donovan, Charlie Garrick, and Maria Bakalova.
Donald Trump begins his rise to prominence in the tumultuous business landscape of New York City in the 1970’s, guided by his mentor Roy Cohn.
Donald Trump (Stan) is a glorified landlord stifled by his fathers (Donovan) business prudence as he attempts to capitalize on gentrification.
Through his efforts to stretch his circle of influence he comes under the heavy lidded gaze of Roy Cohn (Strong) where he quietly but quickly learns the fundamentals of success.
I won’t repeat them here because it’s a pretty entertaining sequence plus I think it’s in the trailer but, in a nutshell ‘it’s don’t be ashamed to be a ruthless asshole to anyone over anything at all times’.
Shamelessly espousing the virtues of privilege in the belief protecting and preserving the wealthy are crucial for America, democracy and freedom itself, he pulls away from his families dusty values and embraces the killer capitalism of the so glamorous American 1980s.
We get to watch him experience love, or at least desire, through Ivanka (Bakalova) and loss, his brother Freddy (Carrick) and some interesting insights to his thoughts on marriage, business, politics, exercise, ethics and there’s even a brief struggle with repentance.
Overall, The Apprentice is essentially a sizzle reel of all the Trumpisms we’ve come to accept as normal for this insanely influential human to exemplify.
Neither hit piece nor an attempt to humanize this caricature of the American businessman whose success is defined by how successfully he can convey the illusion of success.
He isn’t portrayed as cool or suave or even that clever, just ambitious and smart enough to stick to a plan and although at times I thought his Trump owed a lot to Michal Keaton, you’ll know what I mean, I think Sebastian Stan killed this part.
The makeup is subtle and with just enough flab to capture 45/47’s pouty smugness, and he benefits from playing off Mark Strong, who is superb as a capitalist Dr. Frankenstein.
What You Should or Shouldn’t Watch For:
Sebastian Stan nominated for Best Actor
Mark Strong nominated for Best Supporting Actor. (*my personal pick to win – he’s awesome at being awful)
Only recommended viewing for anyone who can overlook the fact it’s a chillingly accurate portrayal of a man who is now the President of the US.
It boggles the mind at first but the more you watch, the more and more it seems inevitable.