The Apprentice is one of those movies that, while not reinventing the wheel in terms of story, is carried by its sheer cinematic brilliance and an unforgettable performance by Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn. The film’s visual appeal is outstanding, with stunning cinematography that captures the chaotic, ambition-driven essence of 1980s New York. The musical score only amplifies this, seamlessly accompanying the visuals to create an engaging atmosphere. But beneath this technical mastery lies a plot that doesn’t necessarily bring new insights into the life of Donald Trump, at least not beyond what most already know. However, this does not take away from the movie’s charm and its ability to captivate its audience.
What truly sets The Apprentice apart, though, is Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of Roy Cohn. His performance is nothing short of Oscar-worthy, giving depth to a character who is both villain and victim, a man consumed by the very world he helped create. Strong’s Cohn is mesmerizing, making you sympathize with his ruthlessness because he is, after all, a product of the cutthroat system he operates in. He is a master manipulator who, in a twisted way, ends up trapped in the very web he spun. The film becomes philosophical in this sense, but it doesn’t offer explicit debates. The characters are doers, and the moral and philosophical questions they evoke are left for us to wrestle with.
The film also humanizes these larger-than-life figures, though not to the extent of justifying or fully understanding their actions. Instead, it sheds light on the brutal society they had to navigate. New York is portrayed as a bureaucracy-ridden battleground where survival of the fittest reigns supreme. This adds layers to the characters without absolving them, showing the complexity of their motivations in a city where ambition often trumps ethics.
Interestingly, the movie does seem to have an agenda that seeks to tarnish Donald Trump’s image. But here’s where it falters—rather than demonizing him, the film inadvertently paints him as an inevitable byproduct of American society, a place where success is pursued relentlessly, no matter the cost. In doing so, it fails to truly damage Trump’s reputation because the film makes it clear that the world he thrives in rewards exactly the kind of behavior he exhibits. Instead, The Apprentice portrays a society where individuals are encouraged to push their limits, no matter how far, to achieve their envisioned goals.
In conclusion, The Apprentice is a visual and auditory masterpiece, with a plot that, while not groundbreaking, is well-executed and enjoyable. Jeremy Strong’s Roy Cohn is the heart and soul of the film, offering a performance that elevates the movie to something more than just a commentary on Trump’s rise. It’s a film about power, ambition, and the cost of success, and while it may aim to critique certain individuals, it ultimately exposes the ruthless nature of the society they inhabit.
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