The Apprentice, a biographical drama directed by Ali Abbasi, takes a deep dive into the early years of Donald Trump’s journey in the real estate world during the 1970s and ’80s. The film, available in a WEB-HD 720p format with Telugu voice-over and English subtitles, presents a narrative of ambition, power, and the making of one of the most polarizing figures in modern American history. In this comprehensive review, we’ll analyze the key aspects of the movie—its plot, performances, direction, visual quality, and overall impact.

IMDb Ratings & General Reception

With a rating of 7.1/10 on IMDb, The Apprentice has garnered significant attention, although it hasn’t quite reached the level of universal acclaim. The movie presents a mix of critical admiration for its storytelling, character depth, and performances, while some viewers have found the film to be too focused on a specific period in Trump’s life, potentially missing broader insights into his later years and political career. Nevertheless, it remains an engaging watch for fans of biography and drama.

Genres: Biography & Drama

Being classified under the biography and drama genres, The Apprentice captures a pivotal moment in history—the transformation of Donald Trump from a young businessman to a prominent figure. Biography films inherently come with the challenge of balancing factual representation with artistic interpretation, and the film strives to find a balance between these two. The drama element provides viewers with a deep emotional engagement with the characters involved, allowing for introspection and reflection on the complex personalities shaping the narrative.

Direction by Ali Abbasi

Ali Abbasi, known for his sharp eye for detail and his ability to dive deep into human emotions and societal structures, brings a nuanced touch to The Apprentice. Abbasi’s style blends the intricacies of personal ambition with the broader societal implications of Trump’s rise. His directorial choices maintain a fine balance between drama and biographical storytelling, choosing not to idealize nor demonize the characters involved but instead focusing on their actions and decisions.

Abbasi doesn’t shy away from showcasing the darker aspects of Trump’s early career, especially his relationship with Roy M. Cohn, the infamous lawyer whose controversial practices and personal connections played a crucial role in shaping Trump’s initial success. The film takes the audience through a labyrinth of moral ambiguities and ethical compromises, showing that the line between success and failure in business can be razor-thin, often blurred by questionable tactics.

Cast and Performances

Sebastian Stan as Young Donald Trump

Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of a young Donald Trump stands out as one of the film’s highlights. Known for his versatility as an actor, Stan brings the younger Trump to life with a mixture of youthful arrogance and raw ambition. His performance delves into Trump’s early days as an ambitious real estate developer, often showing a character determined to succeed at all costs. Stan’s portrayal is marked by a fine balance of subtlety and intensity, avoiding caricature while still delivering a sense of the brashness that Trump would become known for later in life.

While the film doesn’t focus on his later persona as a reality TV star or politician, Stan gives the audience a glimpse into the roots of Trump’s desire for power and success, as well as his contentious relationships with others.

Jeremy Strong as Roy M. Cohn

Jeremy Strong, who has become known for his intense, complex roles, gives an outstanding performance as Roy M. Cohn. Cohn, a powerful lawyer with a reputation for manipulation and unethical practices, is a critical figure in shaping Trump’s early career. Strong expertly portrays Cohn’s ruthless ambition and his ability to manipulate people, especially Trump, for his own gain. Strong’s take on Cohn is chilling, adding a layer of tension throughout the film as the relationship between him and Trump evolves.

Strong brings forth Cohn’s complex character—one who is both a mentor and a toxic influence on Trump’s moral compass. His portrayal highlights the dark side of mentorship, revealing how Cohn’s legal expertise and connections were crucial to Trump’s ascension in the real estate world, but also a source of his ethical decay.

Martin Donovan as Fred Trump

Martin Donovan plays Fred Trump, Donald Trump’s father, and a pivotal figure in shaping his early career. Fred Trump is depicted as a strict, no-nonsense businessman who instilled the values of hard work and success in his son. Donovan’s portrayal is restrained, portraying Fred as a man who believed in traditional methods and personal legacy-building. While Fred’s influence is evident throughout, his relationship with his son is complicated and strained, further explored in the film.

Plot and Storytelling

The plot of The Apprentice focuses on a young Donald Trump’s early days in real estate. Beginning in the late 1970s, Trump, at the time a young businessman, navigates the cutthroat world of New York real estate, trying to make a name for himself. The film’s main focus is his partnership with Roy M. Cohn, a lawyer notorious for his connections to powerful individuals and his often-questionable methods of doing business.

The film delves into how Cohn helped Trump navigate the business world, using his knowledge and influence to help Trump secure lucrative real estate deals. The mentorship between the two is central to the plot, showcasing the dark underbelly of the American Dream. Trump’s willingness to use controversial tactics, such as manipulation and legal maneuvering, to achieve success is explored in detail, creating a morally ambiguous portrait of his rise.

One of the most gripping aspects of the film is how it juxtaposes Trump’s ambitions with his personal shortcomings. Trump is shown as a character whose ego drives him forward, and yet, he is still susceptible to the mentorship and manipulation of Cohn. The film carefully weaves the story of Trump’s rise with the darker undertones of his business practices, leaving the audience with a sense of both admiration and skepticism about the lengths he was willing to go to.

While the film does an admirable job of depicting the relationship between Trump and Cohn, it could have explored other aspects of Trump’s life more deeply, such as his personal relationships and his values. However, the choice to focus on these specific moments in his career allows for a deep dive into the complex dynamics that shaped his future success.

Cinematography & Visual Quality

As the film is available in WEB-HD 720p quality, the visual presentation is solid, with crisp detail and a focus on the atmosphere of 1970s and ’80s New York. The city, with its towering skyscrapers and gritty streets, is an essential backdrop to the story, representing both the opportunities and challenges that Trump faced in his early years.

The film’s cinematography uses a muted color palette, contributing to the somber tone of the narrative. The film does a good job of balancing intimate, character-driven scenes with wider shots of the bustling cityscape, illustrating how Trump’s ambitions were both a personal journey and a reflection of the larger capitalist forces at play in New York during that era.

While the cinematography doesn’t rely on flashy visuals, it effectively conveys the oppressive, high-stakes world that Trump inhabited. The camera lingers on tense moments between characters, emphasizing their emotional states and inner conflicts.

Language & Accessibility

The Apprentice is presented in Telugu with a voice-over and English subtitles. This bilingual approach makes it accessible to a wider audience, offering both regional and international viewers a chance to engage with the story. While some viewers may prefer a direct translation without voice-over, the quality of the voice acting is commendable, with the actors’ performances complementing the film’s serious tone.

The use of Telugu adds an additional layer of accessibility, bringing the story of a major American figure to a South Asian audience. This bilingual format enhances the film’s potential for cross-cultural engagement and discussion.

Final Thoughts: Should You Watch The Apprentice?

The Apprentice is an engaging biographical drama that provides valuable insight into the early years of Donald Trump’s real estate career. With a standout performance by Sebastian Stan as Trump, supported by Jeremy Strong’s riveting portrayal of Roy M. Cohn, the film offers an intriguing look at the formative years of a future political icon.

However, the film does have its limitations. By focusing on Trump’s partnership with Cohn, it leaves some important aspects of his character unexplored. The film’s pacing can also feel a little slow at times, especially for viewers who are not particularly interested in the intricacies of real estate business dealings.