New Film ‘The Apprentice’ Promises a Deep Dive into Trump’s Prestigious Past

The riveting biographic film on the life of Donald Trump, titled ‘The Apprentice’, had an uncertain future in America since its debut at the elite Cannes Film Festival three months ago. A threatened lawsuit from those loyal to the former president aimed to halt its release, but the filmmaker remained undaunted. Ali Abbasis, the director of the film, suggests his depiction of Trump, portrayed by Sebastian Stan, might be something the former president could come to appreciate.

Trump fans have been protective of their hero’s portrayal, this is hardly surprising, given the film’s plot traces Trump’s rise in the fiercely competitive New York real estate market in the 70s and 80s, under the mentorship of Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. However, Abbasi stands by his work’s integrity, holding steadfast that it’s an honest representation with an equitable handling of Trump’s character.

Trump spokesperson, Steven Cheung’s dismissal of the film as sensationalized fiction hardly scratches the surface. He likens it to an ‘illegal Biden Trials’, asserting Hollywood’s blatant electoral interference to favor their political candidate. He expressed his unwavering confidence in Trump’s political prowess, robustly arguing against his portrayal and future dissemination of the film.

However, Abbasi’s faith in his work and the depiction of Trump remains undeterred. In his conversation with the Hollywood Reporter, the director stands by his work’s authenticity. Abbasi believes that Trump, known for his astuteness, might appreciate the attention to detail, the balance, and the layers in the film.

Stan, who delivers a remarkable performance as Trump, speculates the film might gain an unexpected audience. He stated, ‘I’ve had actually a lot of Republican friends who are very excited about the film.’ This is despite the fact that the movie includes scenes hinting at Trump’s aesthetic alterations and hints at controversial aspects of his personal life.

While some scenes may prove uncomfortable for the viewers, Abbasi embraces the challenge, expressing his keenness to screen the film for Trump himself. The ‘Apprentice’ team is aware that promotional Trump endorsements are unlikely to grace movie theaters when the film releases on October 11.

Nevertheless, Sherman, the scribe behind ‘The Apprentice’, believes there’s plenty in the narrative for Trump to appreciate privately. The movie draws from a period of Trump’s life when his pursuits produced tangible results. ‘I think publicly, it serves his political interests to pick fights with anyone, and we might be those people,’ Sherman remarks.

Sherman rationalizes Trump’s potential rejection of the movie as a political estrategy. He points out that a substantial part of the film explores a period when Trump’s achievements were universally acclaimed, and he wasn’t met with the hostility he faces today.

It’s easy to forget that Trump was a celebrated figure who featured regularly on iconic talk shows like Oprah, David Letterman, and Larry King, during the 80s. ‘People perhaps like to forget that he was on Oprah and David Letterman and Larry King, and everybody embraced him and was championing him to be who he was in the eighties,’ Stan remarks.

Sherman further emphasizes that during the 70s and 80s, Trump and Roy were well received by the New York liberal society. Their charisma and reputation made them the sought-after companions of many renowned figures. It was all a joyride until we saw how the course of history unfolded when Trump took on the presidency.

In truth, Trump and Roy were the toast of the town, their unique characters drawing in the cream of society. The likes of celebrated journalists like Barbara Walters were keen to be seen with them, enticed by their daring and infamous reputation. It was a different era, a time when these rogues were perceived as exhilarating, full of life and zest.

However, the winds of time have now shifted. It’s fair to say that Trump’s presidency has sparked polarizing views across the nation. But this film seeks to look past the political figure and delve into the complexities of the man who walked in the glittering circles of New York’s real estate world, to later take the reins of one of the most powerful nations in the world.

Despite the polarized opinions and controversies surrounding him, this film offers an opportunity to walk in Trump’s shoes during a time of his life that many people don’t know about. The movie weaves a narrative around his experiences, evoking intrigue about the unknown chapters of his life, which will undoubtedly attract a broad spectrum of viewers.