The Apprentice (2024)
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A young real estate aspirant finds a ruthless mentor in a notorious attorney during the 1970s.
The story
In 1973, a young Donald Trump meets Roy Cohn, a notorious former chief counsel, at a New York City social club. Facing a federal investigation into his father's real estate business, Trump seeks Cohn's help. Cohn becomes a mentor, teaching Trump the rules of success: always attack, never admit wrongdoing, and always claim victory. As Trump navigates the high-stakes world of New York real estate in the 1970s and 1980s, he begins to adopt Cohn's ruthless tactics to build his empire, while the relationship between the two men shapes the trajectory of his career and public persona.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1973, Donald Trump meets Roy Cohn, a notorious attorney, who helps him navigate a federal investigation into his father's business. Cohn becomes Trump's mentor, teaching him aggressive tactics and the 'three rules' of success. Trump uses Cohn's help to secure a tax abatement for the Commodore Hotel and later develops the Trump Tower. The film follows their intertwined lives through the 1980s, including Trump's marriage to Ivana, his struggles with his father's health, and his eventual adoption of Cohn's tactics as his own. The narrative explores their relationship until Cohn's death in 1986, culminating in Trump's rise as a media figure and his preparation for a future in politics. The film includes scenes of Trump's personal struggles, including his use of amphetamines and plastic surgeries, and his eventual transition into a public figure who adopts Cohn's 'rules' as his own.
- First release year
- 2024
- Runtime (minutes)
- 122
- Production countries
- Canada; Denmark; Ireland; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ali Abbasi
- Writers
- Gabriel Sherman · writer
- Cast and characters
- Sebastian Stan · Donald Trump; Jeremy Strong · Roy Cohn; Martin Donovan · Fred Trump; Maria Bakalova · Ivana
- Genres
- biographical drama
- Themes
- mentorship; power
- Tone and mood
- biographical; dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- biopic; political
- Reception
- The film received praise from critics for its acting, directing, and editing, and was described as an 'engrossing mentor-mentee tale' with 'amazing performances.' However, it was also criticized by some as being 'sentimental' and a 'cartoon.'
- Reported review scores
- PostTrak · score: 71% · scale: percentage; AlloCiné · score: 3.6 · scale: 5 · review count: 30
- Production trivia
- The film was shot across 50 locations over the course of 30 days.; The film was influenced by the Dogme 95 movement.; The script was offered to directors Paul Thomas Anderson and Clint Eastwood, who both turned it down.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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