At the recent London Film Festival, the premiere of The Apprentice made waves not just for its star-studded cast but also for the controversy surrounding its subject matter. Starring Sebastian Stan as young Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, the film chronicles Trump's formative years and explores his relationship with the influential lawyer who played a pivotal role in shaping his political ambitions. The film, directed by Ali Abbasi, has drawn sharp rebukes from Trump himself, who decried it as unauthorized and painted it as a distorted portrayal of his early career.
Jeremy Strong, known for his role as Kendall Roy on the hit series Succession, seemed unfazed by the backlash. His preparation for the role of Cohn was thorough; he dived deep, not just portraying the lawyer as the power broker he was, but also capturing the complexity of his character. "I approached this as a film, as a piece of creative work; I wasn't thinking about the political arena," he noted on the red carpet. Strong added, "It's very loaded right now, but I think art has a role to play," emphasizing the importance of storytelling.
For Strong, acting is about reflection, and he believes his role mirrors real-life tensions. “Storytelling has a really important role to play, of speaking truth to power and of reflecting ourselves to ourselves,” he explained. The film's subject has raised eyebrows, especially considering Trump's continued prominence. Political analysts speculate how the portrayal might resonate with current audiences and political dynamics, particularly as the Republican nomination process heats up.
The director, Ali Abbasi, emphasized the transformative arc within Trump as he interacts with Cohn, who not only mentored him but also instilled in him the cutthroat ambition seen today. Abbasi reflected, "This is when he was young and he was not like the person we know him today and it's fun to see not just how he got there, but the raw ambition and ideas Cohn imparted.”
Sebastian Stan’s transformation for the role drew praise from Abbasi, who noted the actor’s ability to embody flawed characters authentically. Stan described his immersion on set, stating, “The first day of shooting was really revelatory. I tried to find everything I could find—the good, the bad, and the ugly.” While stepping deeply immersed himself in his character, he emphasized approaching Trump with no preconceived notions, highlighting the need for nuance.
Maria Bakalova, who plays Ivana Trump, echoed Stan’s sentiments, candidly admitting the challenges faced when preparing for the role. Without much video footage available from the era, Bakalova expressed her struggle to find the essence of Ivana. “We have many beautiful pictures, but we don’t see her speak or behave,” she said, noting the limited data points available for constructing her character. Bakalova’s challenge highlights the difficulties actors face in depicting historical figures whose public personas may have been carefully curated.
Despite the potential for backlash from Trump's supporters, the cast remains committed to their artistic vision. Strong remarked, “I think it's important for those who care about the state of the world and this election to see it.” His commitment to portraying the truth speaks to the film’s ambition of contesting the narratives surrounding its subjects. Meanwhile, Abbasi believes examining the evolution of Trump through the lens of his youth might prompt viewers to reflect on the current political climate.
Understanding the film's objective demands clarity. The portrayal of Trump and Cohn captures more than just historical facts; it dives deep, aiming to understand the very roots of their controversial legacies. Amid all of this, it remains to be seen how audiences will react to the on-screen depiction—especially with the political narratives still playing out today. The Apprentice is currently set for release across cinemas, with the anticipation of both applause and protest likely accompanying its viewing.
With The Apprentice, the filmmakers have taken on the mantle of telling the story the former president likely would rather keep buried—a bold move in today's polarized climate. The film's narrative could reshape public perception, or at least provoke conversation about Trump's rise within the political sphere. Critics are eager to see if this film will spark significant dialogue about the politics of today, and if both sides can find common ground or resort to deepening division through their contrasting views of America's past and future.
