The Apprentice Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A young real estate dude learns the art of the deal from a shady lawyer and becomes… well, you know.

🍿 The Apprentice: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Ambitions and Roy Cohn’s Influence

The film opens in 1973, introducing a young Donald Trump navigating New York’s real estate scene. He seeks guidance from his father, Fred Trump, but yearns for greater success. A chance encounter leads him to Roy Cohn, a powerful and controversial lawyer known for his ruthlessness. Cohn sees potential in Trump and offers his mentorship.

The Three Rules of Success

Cohn imparts his ‘three rules’ to Trump: always attack, never admit wrongdoing, and always claim victory. These principles become the foundation of Trump’s business strategy. Under Cohn’s tutelage, Trump secures a lucrative tax abatement for the Commodore Hotel project, showcasing his growing ambition and willingness to exploit the system.

Rise to Power and Family Dynamics

Trump’s career ascends as he develops Trump Tower and gains media attention. His relationship with his father remains strained, and his brother Freddy’s struggles with alcoholism highlight the competitive and unforgiving nature of the Trump family. Trump marries Ivana Zelnícková, who becomes instrumental in his business ventures.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan): A young, ambitious real estate heir who rises to prominence in 1970s and 80s New York under the tutelage of Roy Cohn.
• Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong): An infamous and ruthless lawyer who mentors Donald Trump, teaching him the art of manipulation and aggressive business tactics.
• Ivana Trump (Maria Bakalova): Donald Trump’s first wife and a key figure in his business empire, whose relationship with him deteriorates over time.
• Fred Trump (Martin Donovan): Donald Trump’s powerful and domineering father, whose approval he seeks while also trying to surpass him.
• Freddy Trump (Charlie Carrick): Donald Trump’s older brother, who struggles with alcoholism and fails to meet his father’s expectations, highlighting the family’s ruthless dynamics.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roy Cohn: “Rule three: no matter what happens, you claim victory and never admit defeat.” – Cohn explains one of his core principles for success to a young Donald Trump.
• Roy Cohn: “Always attack, never admit wrongdoing, and always claim victory, even if defeated.” – Cohn lays out his three rules to Trump.
• Donald Trump: “Let’s Make America Great Again.” – Trump and Roger Stone are reviewing slogans in support of Reagan.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,001,904
• Worldwide Gross: $17,288,907

💥 The Apprentice Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie really got under my skin. Seeing the origins of Trump’s persona was both fascinating and disturbing. I was particularly impressed by Sebastian Stan; he really embodied the younger Trump. The scenes between Trump and Cohn were intense, and Jeremy Strong was absolutely captivating. It’s a movie that will definitely leave you thinking long after the credits roll. It made me question a lot about power and influence.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in political dramas”
  • “Fans of Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong”
  • “Individuals curious about Donald Trump’s origins”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Suggested sexual assault”
  • “Depiction of substance abuse”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Sebastian Stan delivers a chilling portrayal of Trump, capturing his mannerisms without caricature. While the film treads familiar ground, Jeremy Strong’s performance as Roy Cohn elevates the material. A thought-provoking, if unsettling, look at the making of a mogul.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Ali Abbasi’s ‘The Apprentice’ is a slick, well-acted biopic that explores the formative years of Donald Trump’s career. The film is strongest when focused on the dynamic between Trump and Cohn but loses steam in its latter half.
• IndieWire: “An engrossing, if imperfect, character study. ‘The Apprentice’ benefits from committed performances, particularly from Stan and Strong, but occasionally sacrifices nuance for bluntness. It’s a film that will spark conversation, for better or worse.

Audience Reactions

Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Donald Trump is eerily accurate.: Viewers praise the strong performances and the film’s ability to provoke thought.

Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn is a standout performance.: Many found the exploration of Trump’s relationship with Roy Cohn to be the most compelling aspect of the film.

Overall Consensus: A well-acted but potentially controversial biopic that explores the formative years of Donald Trump’s career and his relationship with Roy Cohn. Provokes thoughtful reactions from critics and viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Roger Stone, longtime associate of both Donald Trump and Roy M. Cohn, admitted that Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of Cohn was “uncanny in its accuracy.””
• “After premiering at Cannes, the film struggled to find distributors due to the controversial subject matter and threats of legal action from Donald Trump. Briarcliff Entertainment ultimately picked it up for theatrical release.”
• “Director Ali Abbasi opened the film with a clip of Richard Nixon proclaiming, “I’m not a crook,” as a way of setting the stage for the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Apprentice?

As a recent release, ‘The Apprentice’ is primarily available in theaters. Check your local listings for showtimes. As time passes, expect it to become available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD may also be released.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Apprentice, you might like these similar films:

• Citizen Kane (1941): A classic exploration of wealth, power, and the corrupting influence of ambition, using a biographical framework.
• There Will Be Blood (2007): Daniel Plainview’s ruthless pursuit of wealth mirrors Trump’s ambition, showing the dark side of capitalism.
• The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): Both films explore the excesses of wealth and power in New York, although with different tones.
• Vice (2018): Another biographical drama that examines the rise of a controversial political figure and the influence of their mentors.

🛒 The Apprentice Related Products

• The Art of the Deal by Donald J. Trump: The classic guide to business and success from the man himself. Learn the strategies that made Trump a household name.
• Roy Cohn: A Life by Nicholas von Hoffman: A comprehensive biography of Roy Cohn, the controversial lawyer and Trump’s mentor. Dive into his life, career, and influence on American politics.
• Trump: The Kremlin Candidate by D. Cohen: Explores connections between Trump and Russia and its impacts
• The Fixer: The Notorious Life of Roy Cohn: An HBO documentary film.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Apprentice features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Anti Anti Anti” – performed by Consumers
• “Gimme Some Money” – performed by Sparks
• “New York Groove” – performed by Hello

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Donald Trump’s Meanest “The Apprentice” Moments

Want to see what Donald Trump was like on ‘The Apprentice’? This compilation shows some of his most ruthless moments – it’s pretty wild and definitely gives you an idea of the kind of guy he was!

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