Good biopics focus on one aspect of someone's life, and that's exactly what 'The Apprentice' does. In this case, it's Donald Trump's business relationship with his lawyer Roy Cohn. It's a great narrative: Trump, eager but inexperienced, learning the dirty tricks about business deals from Cohn. And then, when he has learned everything there is to learn, turning his back on the man who has made him into what he is.
It's great drama, and it's also great fun to watch. Ali Abassi really succeeds in recreating the 'greed is good'-vibe of the era, when honesty and integrity made way for money and profit. Things are moving fast for Trump, and for the viewer, particularly in the first part of the film. To watch Trump's climb from ordinary rent collector in his father's apartment complex to powerful real estate developer is great cinema. In the second part, Cohn becomes less important for Trump, who is dating Ivana. Their courtship is a also very entertaining part of the movie.
In a way, it's really Jeremy Strong playing Roy Cohn who steals the show. He is absolutely great as the ruthless lawyer without any scruples. His three rules of doing business would become essential in Trump's career. Sebastian Stan as Trump is also amazing: without overdoing it, he shows some of the typical Trump-mannerisms. Even his way of talking is spot-on, without becoming a parody.
Is this a political film? Yes and no. Essentially, this is the story of a businessman making it in New York. The film ends in 1986, when Cohn dies. At that time, Trump had not even started his TV-career, let alone his political endeavors. But Abbasi couldn't resist the temptation to include the 1980 interview whith Rona Barrett, in which he jokes about running for president. And the film starts off with Nixon's famous words about 'not being a crook'. A subtle, but crystal clear message.
