"Trump Biopic Offers Complex Portrayal Amidst Controversy"

"The Apprentice," directed by Ali Abbasi, aims to provide a three-dimensional depiction of Donald Trump's formative years as a real estate mogul in New York. Starring Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as his mentor Roy Cohn, the film faced daunting challenges in production, distribution, and sparked legal threats from Trump himself. While Abbasi hoped to influence public discourse ahead of the U.S. elections, the film received mixed reviews and a lukewarm box office reception. Despite the controversy and mixed reception, Stan defends the film's portrayal of Trump as complex rather than sympathetic, exploring how Cohn's influence shaped Trump's later persona.

In "The Apprentice," Sebastian Stan brings Donald Trump's early years as a key New York real estate tycoon to life, suggesting Trump "should be grateful" for the film's rich portrayal, rather than attacking it. Despite receiving a standing ovation at its Cannes premiere, the film initially struggled to find a U.S. distributor due to legal threats from Trump, who deemed it "fake and classless." Released ahead of the U.S. election, it explores Trump's relationship with lawyer Roy Cohn (played by Jeremy Strong) — a crucial influence on Trump’s evolving character. With its U.K. release imminent, the film generated mixed reviews and a tepid box office start, but Stan believes the film’s depth and complexity are something Trump should appreciate. While some debate its impact on the upcoming election, the film remains a contentious cultural piece, offering a serious character study of Trump, avoiding caricature, and exploring his transformation influenced by Cohn. The project reveals a blend of political origins and personal ethics, leaving a unique, if polarizing, cinematic mark.