The Apprentice

Director: Ali Abbasi

Writer: Gabriel Sherman

Set in 1970s and 80s New York City, we follow the development of Donald J Trump (Sebastian Stan), from ambitious son of a powerful father (Martin Donovan) to the beginnings of the man who would become the President of the United States. It focuses on Trump’s relationships, with notorious lawyer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), his family and his first wife, Ivana (Maria Bakalova). And we see how those relationships, particularly the one with Cohn, develops the principles that make him the Trump of today.

This was always going to be tricky to get right and while it is not the best docudrama I’ve seen, it does a good job of providing some insight into the creation of Trump.

This is not a flattering portrayal of its subject, but it’s also no “hatchet job” either. What the film does is pose some questions, perhaps the most interesting is how much of Trump is nurture over nature.

It’s a classic origin story. We see a relatively innocent Trump, who is shaped by Cohn and his principles, always attack, the truth is what you say it is and always claim you won. It is this transformation and relationship with Cohn that is the heart of the film as apprentice outgrows tutor.

It’s built on three fine performances in Stan, Strong and Maria Bakalova. Stan does a good job avoiding a Trump impression, but rather inhabits him enough with the mannerisms and attitudes that you recognise. Strong’s character goes on an opposite journey from a man who’ll do anything to win, to one ravaged by personal events.

It uses the 80’s period well, weaving TV style documentary and drama effectively. It recreates a grim and desperate looking New York and uses the styles and music of the 80’s all to give a feeling of time and place.

The Apprentice is a nuanced view of a divisive character. It is driven by three good central performances and uses the sights and sounds of the period well. It’s neither a puff piece nor a hatchet job, but rather it poses some interesting questions about the Trump we see today. An origins story with a difference.