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The Apprentice (2024 film)

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The Apprentice
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAli Abbasi
Written byGabriel Sherman
Produced by
  • Daniel Bekerman
  • Amy Baer
  • Jacob Jarek
  • Tony Grier
  • Julianne Forde
  • Ruth Treacy
  • Louis Tisné
Starring
CinematographyKasper Tuxen
Edited by
  • Olivier Bugge Coutté
  • Olivia Neergaard-Holm
Music byMartin Dirkov
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • May 20, 2024 (2024-05-20) (Cannes)
  • October 11, 2024 (2024-10-11) (Canada and United States)
  • October 17, 2024 (2024-10-17) (Denmark)
  • October 18, 2024 (2024-10-18) (Ireland)
Running time
123 minutes[1]
Countries
  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • Ireland
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$16 million[2]
Box office$1.6 million[3]

The Apprentice is a 2024 biographical drama film that examines Donald Trump's career as a real estate businessman in New York in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as his relationship with lawyer Roy Cohn. Directed by Ali Abbasi and written by Gabriel Sherman, the film stars Sebastian Stan as Trump, Jeremy Strong as Cohn, Martin Donovan as Trump's father Fred, and Maria Bakalova as Trump's first wife, Ivana.

An international co-production between Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the United States, the film was announced in May 2018, but languished for several years until Abbasi, Stan, and Strong joined in fall 2023. After premiering at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2024, the film struggled to find American distribution due to its subject matter and an attempt by Trump's legal team to block its release. Briarcliff Entertainment eventually bought the rights, and theatrically released on October 11, 2024.[4] The film received generally positive reviews from critics.

Plot

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In 1973, a young Donald Trump, after pointing out various wealthy people to his date, meets attorney Roy Cohn, a contentious lawyer known for prosecuting the Rosenbergs, at an exclusive New York City restaurant, and complains that the federal government is investigating his real-estate mogul father, Fred Trump, for discrimination against African-American tenants; Cohn eventually offers to help.

After Cohn presents to the lead prosecutor photos of him with a cabana boy, the prosecutor settles the case for little, despite solid evidence of racial discrimination. Trump celebrates, and falls further into Cohn's orbit, seeing him as a better mentor than his father. Cohn teaches Trump about dressing well and media relations, and offers his "three rules": always attack, never admit wrongdoing, and always claim victory, even if defeated. Trump attends a decadent Cohn party, where he sees Cohn and others in a homosexual orgy.

Trump wants to develop the derelict midtown Commodore Hotel, near Grand Central Terminal, into a Hyatt; Cohn, using blackmail audiotapes of officials, helps Trump get a $160 million tax abatement for the project, outraging advocates for the poor. Trump does not ask Fred, with whom he has a tense relationship, for permission to build. Trump then develops the luxurious Trump Tower, belittling Fred's smaller achievements, and the media begin to treat Trump as a successful mogul.

Fred is also ashamed of his eldest son Fred Jr. for becoming an airline pilot. Fred Jr. falls into alcoholism, and Trump mistreats him; he eventually dies. His mother, Scottish immigrant Mary Anne, is agonized by this and also by Trump's attempts to control the family fortune when Fred is senile.

Czech model Ivana Zelníčková and friends try to enter Trump's club but are turned away; Trump gets them admitted and later pursues Ivana, even to Aspen where she models. They wed, but he grows resentful of her ambitions to be a prominent interior designer. Eventually, he explicitly tells her he is no longer attracted to her; they fight, and he rapes her. Now addicted to amphetamines, Trump is discouraged from using the pills by his doctor, with whom he discusses his obesity and baldness. Trump has contentious relations with new mayor Ed Koch and runs into trouble with his Atlantic City casinos, which Cohn told him were unwise and developing too fast.

During the Reagan era, Trump celebrates the spirit of greed while criticizing unions, welfare recipients, and others for being greedy, and says America needs to be stronger, instead of disrespected by foreign nations. Cohn expresses similar sentiments, lambasting liberals and presenting himself as a guardian of the American spirit, while attacking rules, morals, and truth. Trump and Cohn assistant Roger Stone approve of one of Reagan's slogans, "Let's Make America Great Again". Facing disbarment, Cohn develops AIDS but publicly denies it and his homosexuality. His lover Russell also develops AIDS, and Cohn asks Trump to put Russell up at the Hyatt. Trump eventually throws Russell out and claims that guests had complained; however, Donald has developed a fear of germs and won't get near his former mentor. Cohn berates Trump on the street, calling him an ungrateful fraud. They eventually somewhat reconcile, as Trump, following Russell's death, takes Cohn to Florida and celebrates his birthday; he gives Cohn "Trump"-branded jewelry which is cheap—as Ivana informs Cohn—but tells him it is diamonds. Cohn eventually dies.

Trump has liposuction and scalp-reduction surgery, and tells the ghostwriter of his biography, The Art of the Deal, Cohn's three rules, which Trump has adopted. Trump muses about becoming President, talks about the genetic superiority of winners, and expatiates about his own greatness while envisioning the New York skyline.

Cast

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Production

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The film was first announced in May 2018, with Gabriel Sherman slated to write the screenplay.[5] In October 2023, Ali Abbasi was confirmed to be joining the film as director and, as initially reported, co-writer.[6] However, it was later confirmed that Sherman would be the film's sole writer. According to Abbasi, producers had shared the script with multiple filmmakers, including Paul Thomas Anderson and Clint Eastwood, who had turned down the offer to direct, seeing the film as a "business risk."[7][8] The film began principal photography in November 2023 in Toronto, where Stan, Strong, and Bakalova were announced as the lead roles.[9][10]

Filming wrapped on January 28, 2024. In February 2024, it was announced that Martin Donovan had joined the cast portraying Fred Trump.[11]

The film is a joint production of Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the United States.[12]

Release

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The Apprentice was submitted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, held from May 14 to 25, 2024.[13] It was included in competition for the Palme d'Or in April 2024, alongside 18 other films,[14] and had its world premiere on May 20, 2024 at the festival.[15] It also screened at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2024.[16]

StudioCanal acquired UK and Irish distribution rights to the film prior to its world premiere at Cannes.[17] In June 2024, after much difficulty in finding a domestic distributor over concerns regarding its content as well as an attempt by Trump's legal team to block its release, Tom Ortenberg's Briarcliff Entertainment was reported to be close to acquiring U.S. distribution rights for a fall 2024 release, although a deal could not immediately be confirmed; the deal was confirmed in August 2024.[18] The film was distributed in Australia by Madman Films.[19]

On September 3, 2024, a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter was launched to help prolong the film's theatrical release in the US, with rewards including props worn in the film and VIP tickets to attend the film’s premiere in New York City.[20]

The first trailer for the film was released on September 10, 2024, coinciding with the second presidential debate between Trump and Kamala Harris.[21]

The Apprentice was theatrically released in Australia on October 10, 2024,[22] and in the US on October 11, with limited marketing costs (including no TV spots).[18][23][24]

Reception

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Box office

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In the United States and Canada, The Apprentice was released alongside Terrifier 3, Piece by Piece, My Hero Academia: You're Next, and the wide expansion of Saturday Night, and was projected to gross $1–3 million from 1,740 theaters in its opening weekend.[25] The film made $590,000 on its first day, including $150,000 from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $1.6 million, finishing 10th.[24]

Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 78% of 149 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Instead of cross-examining its subject, The Apprentice gives Sebastian Stan the chance to shine in a simplistic yet entertaining foray into the world of a young Trump."[26] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 64 out of 100, based on 45 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[27] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B–" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it a 71% overall positive score, with 46% saying they would definitely recommend it.[24]

David Rooney in The Hollywood Reporter praised Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong's performances in the film with Stan "going beyond impersonation to capture the essence of the man". Beyond the portrayal of Trump and Cohn, Rooney writes that the film examines the rise of 'winners' and 'losers' thinking in American life from the cynicism of the Nixon years to the rise of corporate greed during the Reagan presidency in the 1980s.[28]

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Cannes Film Festival May 25, 2024 Palme d'Or Ali Abbasi Nominated [29]
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Billionaire Dan Snyder, formerly the owner of the Washington Commanders NFL team, donated money to the production of The Apprentice with the impression that the film would be a positive portrayal of Trump. Snyder is a close friend of Trump who donated $1.1 million to his inaugural committee and Trump Victory Committee in 2016 and $100,000 to his 2020 presidential campaign. After seeing a cut of the film in February 2024, Snyder was said to be furious, and lawyers for the Kinematics production company sought to oppose the release of the film.[30]

The film includes controversial scenes, including those that depict Trump violently raping his first wife, Ivana, abusing amphetamines in order to lose weight, and undergoing liposuction and plastic surgery to remove a bald spot.[31][32] The rape scene was based on divorce records. In a deposition under oath, rendered during their divorce proceedings, Ivana accused Donald of rape and of pulling out her hair by the handful when his plastic surgery to alter his hairline failed.[33] Ivana Trump issued a statement clarifying earlier allegations made during her 1989 divorce proceedings. She explained that her use of the term "rape" was not meant in a literal or criminal sense and was made during a time of high emotion. Ivana stated, "Donald and I are the best of friends, and together we have raised three children that we love and are very proud of. I have nothing but fondness for Donald, and I wish him the best of luck on his campaign. [...] I have recently read some comments attributed to me from nearly 30 years ago at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald. The story is totally without merit. Donald and I are the best of friends and he would never rape me."[34]

On May 20, 2024, Variety reported that Steven Cheung, the communications director of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, threatened legal action over the film.[31] On May 24, Variety reported that Trump's attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to the filmmakers, seeking to block "all marketing, distribution, and publication of the Movie."[35]

Subsequent to this, Abbasi offered to screen the film for Trump, believing that he might approve of its depiction of him.[36] He also said that realistic movies need to be produced about the threat of fascism.[37] The film's producers responded to the letter by issuing a statement saying, "The film is a fair and balanced portrait of the former president. We want everyone to see it and then decide."[38]

In September 2024 Dan Snyder and his production company Kinematics sold its stake in the movie, citing creative differences. Snyder was reportedly motivated to depart because of the film's unflattering and controversial portrayal of the central figure.[39] The stake was acquired by James Shani and his production company Rich Spirit, which was already involved in the film with an original investment of $500,000.[40]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "THE APPRENTICE (15)". BBFC. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  2. ^ Yuan, Jada (June 25, 2024). "Inside the battle to release controversial Trump movie 'The Apprentice'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  3. ^ "The Apprentice – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Ugwu, Reggie (August 30, 2024). "Trump Biopic 'The Apprentice' Gets U.S. Release Date". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  5. ^ "Gabriel Sherman to Write 'The Apprentice' Movie About Young Donald Trump". Variety. May 2, 2018. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "Ali Abbasi to Direct and Co-Write 'The Apprentice' under Fabula Pictures". Nilsen Report. October 30, 2023. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  7. ^ Ruimy, Jordan (October 8, 2024). "Paul Thomas Anderson & Clint Eastwood Refused to Direct 'The Apprentice'". World of Reel. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  8. ^ Sorin, Etienne (September 10, 2024). "Ali Abbasi : «Paul Thomas Anderson et Clint Eastwood ont décliné The Apprentice»". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "Sebastian Stan to Portray Young Donald Trump in Ensemble Film 'The Apprentice'". The Hollywood Reporter. November 29, 2023. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  10. ^ Grobar, Matt (November 29, 2023). "'The Apprentice': Jeremy Strong And Maria Bakalova Join Sebastian Stan In Donald Trump Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  11. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 9, 2024). "Martin Donovan Joins 'The Apprentice' Movie As Fred Trump Sr". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  12. ^ Katz, David (December 13, 2023). "Ali Abbasi plots The Apprentice with Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  13. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (March 4, 2024). "Cannes 2024: Jacques Audiard's Zoe Saldana-Selena Gomez Movie, Andrea Arnold's Barry Keoghan Film, Cronenberg and More in the Mix". Variety. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  14. ^ "Cannes Film Festival Competition Includes Coppola, Audiard, Cronenberg, Arnold, Lanthimos, Sorrentino & Abbasi's Trump Movie — Full List". Deadline Hollywood. April 11, 2024. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  15. ^ "The Screenings Guide of the 77th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. May 8, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  16. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr (August 31, 2024). "Hot Button Donald Trump Pic 'The Apprentice' Makes Telluride Debut Tonight At 10 PM At Galaxy Theater". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  17. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (May 15, 2024). "Studiocanal Takes UK & Ireland For Ali Abbasi's Cannes Title 'The Apprentice'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr (June 25, 2024). "Hot-Button Film 'The Apprentice' Moving Toward U.S. Deal With Briarcliff To Release Cannes Sensation On Donald Trump & Roy Cohn – The Dish". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  19. ^ "In Cinemas Now". The Apprentice - In Cinemas Now. October 10, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  20. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (September 3, 2024). "Donald Trump Movie 'The Apprentice' Launches Kickstarter to Raise Money for Longer Theatrical Release". Variety. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  21. ^ Crowley, Kinsey. "Watch as Sebastian Stan embodies young Donald Trump in new 'Apprentice' biopic trailer". USA Today. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  22. ^ Richards, Jared (October 10, 2024). "Donald Trump tried to ban The Apprentice, an unofficial biopic starring Sebastian Stan. Was it worth the fuss?". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  23. ^ Feinberg, Scott (August 30, 2024). "Hot-Button Trump Flick 'The Apprentice' Acquired by Briarcliff for Pre-Election Release, Awards Campaign (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 5, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 11, 2024). "'Terrifier 3' Jump Scares $2M+ Previews & 94% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score, 'Joker: Folie à Deux' Ends First Week With Low $44.6M – Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 11, 2024. Cite error: The named reference "opening" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  25. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 9, 2024). "'Terrifier 3' Looks To Slash 'Joker: Folie à Deux' At Weekend Box Office With $11M+ Opening – Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  26. ^ "The Apprentice". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 11, 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  27. ^ "The Apprentice". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  28. ^ Rooney, David (May 20, 2024). "'The Apprentice' Review: Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong Are Superb in Chilling Account of the Unholy Alliance That Birthed Donald Trump". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  29. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (April 22, 2024). "Oliver Stone, Lou Ye, Michel Hazanavicius Films & 'The Count Of Monte Cristo' Among New Titles Added To Cannes 2024 Official Selection". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  30. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (May 20, 2024). "Inside the Legal Battle to Recut Trump Movie 'The Apprentice': Why Billionaire Investor Dan Snyder Is Furious With Ex-President's Portrayal (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  31. ^ a b Stephan, Katcy (May 20, 2024). "Trump Campaign Threatens Legal Action Over Sebastian Stan's 'The Apprentice' Movie: 'This Garbage Is Pure Fiction'". Variety. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  32. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (May 20, 2024). "Donald Trump Movie 'The Apprentice' Ignites Controversy in Cannes Over Rape Scene". Variety. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  33. ^ Ross, Barbara; Brown, Stephen Rex (September 17, 2016). "Court docs reveal Donald Trump's 'cruel' treatment of Ivana". Daily News. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  34. ^ "Trump lawyer's argument: 'You can't rape your spouse'". CNN. July 28, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  35. ^ "Trump hits 'The Apprentice' with cease-and-desist, seeks to block release". The Hill. May 24, 2024. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  36. ^ Shafer, Ellise; Donnelly, Matt (May 21, 2024). "'The Apprentice' Director Offers to Screen Movie for Donald Trump After Campaign Threatens Lawsuit: 'I Don't Necessarily Think It's a Movie He Would Dislike'". Variety. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  37. ^ Coyle, Jake (May 21, 2024). "Trump campaign calls The Apprentice film 'blatantly false,' director offers to screen it for him". The Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  38. ^ Lang, Brent; Stephan, Katcy (May 24, 2024). "As 'The Apprentice' Seeks Cannes Sale, Trump Team Sends Cease and Desist Letter to Block Film's Release (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  39. ^ Lang, Brent (September 3, 2024). "'The Apprentice' Producer Kinematics Sells Stake in Trump Movie Over 'Creative Differences'". Variety. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  40. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (September 26, 2024). ""You're Hired!" Meet Rich Spirit, The Company That Stepped In To Back Controversial Donald Trump Movie 'The Apprentice', & Hear What's Next For The New U.S. Indie Producer-Distributor". Deadline. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
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