Last Updated on October 11, 2024 by
The Apprentice is a 2024 reality show created by Mark Burnett. The film stars Donald Trump, Kendra Todd, and Tana Goertz, with a runtime of 1 hour 0 Min, and was released on October 11, 2024.
There is a movie called “The Apprentice,” and it is a kind of drama that was filmed in 2005 and is set in the 1980s when the man we now know as Donald Trump was only starting to forge the powerful mogul he would one day become. But before Trump was the wealthy entrepreneur and the star of the popular reality show, he had to undergo a metamorphosis. This movie is about those early formative years when he was still struggling to establish his authority over New York’s real estate market and getting lessons from some of the most unsavory characters.
The main plot is built around Trump who benefited from the help of Roy Cohn, a lawyer known for his cruelty. Cohn had been involved in the prosecution of the Rosenbergs who were executed as spies during the Cold War and was no stranger to power and controversies. Trump, who at first, is not a very confident and unsure man, seeks Cohn’s assistance to handle legal issues that Trump and his father, Fred Trump, encounter when they get accused of discriminating against their tenants in their real estate.
Cohn takes Donald under his wing, teaching him three crucial rules: how to manipulate others and share tips on how to amass wealth dishonestly. These “lessons” start to define Trump’s future, or at least the direction of his campaign and presidency, as either a symptom of his unpredictability or, for his supporters, as a sign of determination and commitment to his goals and America’s best interests. He turns into a greedy and ambitious person who is obsessed with success, money, and power – as he eagerly observes Cohn, the person who lives the life of a successful businessman. The pursuit of fame and respect therefore leads Trump to renew the image of The Commodore, a building in New York, making it synonymous with Trump’s constantly expanding real estate business. On the way he also meets and marries a beautiful model named Ivana which guarantees him a better station in life.
However, the movie also does not hide the dark side of Trump’s way to success and fame. As the Captain gains confidence, he becomes more aggressive and dangerous. His relations with his family deteriorate, especially with his father who never supported him and never thought that Donald could make it. The movie also shows that Trump started focusing on the presidency, but at this point, it is more of a desire rather than a political plan.
With more attention to business operations escalating to unlawful extents, the movie begins to explore the ramifications of Donald’s actions. His interactions with others, especially Ivana, deteriorate as he becomes engrossed in the pursuit of wealth and the facade it presents. There is also a suggestion of his use of “diet pills”, which the movie implies powered him, therefore his nasty acts. A human aspect is also portrayed where even the bond with Roy Cohn starts to sour as Trump gradually starts to ignore the man who was instrumental in shaping young Trump.
The realistic and vibrant setting of New York in the 1980s has been effectively recreated by Director Ali Abbasi through the use of dated clips and synthesized beats. Ultimately the film provides viewers with an insight of a man who mastered the art of manipulating his way to the top but showed the consequences of this journey. Even though the plot may at times seem somewhat predictable, the acting – especially Stan as Trump and Strong as Roy Cohn – is raw and convincing, making it surprisingly easy to watch the future president transform into the man we know today.
Despite its attempt to reveal more about the persona that is Donald Trump, “The Apprentice” does not necessarily seek to analyze the psychology of the main protagonist. Instead of being a real biopic, which I believe was the intention of the directors and writers, it comes across rather as a review of the main events of his life while paying much attention to the decisions he made early in his life that eventually made him the iconic and notorious man he was to become. The movie is an odd, somewhat cringe-watching experience that may leave some questions: do we need another retelling of Trump’s ascend to the presidency?
All in all, ‘The Apprentice’ is not about discoveries but more about portraying an image of Trump’s metamorphosis from a bankrupt businessman to a media and real estate tycoon. There are some good performances, but the story feels slightly shallow, which is ironic for a movie about building an image: it is a film for those who will find it interesting to watch the formation of a public persona, but it does not reveal anything new about a man who has been dissected in film after film.
The Apprentice 2024 Parents Guide Age Rating
The Apprentice is rated R by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) For sexual content, some graphic nudity, language, sexual assault, and drug use.
Violence & Intensity: This is especially true in scenes that depict the relationship between Donald Trump and his father, Fred, as well as other business competitors. As the boss, Fred constantly bullies and humiliates Donald, and seeing this escalate to a screaming match may be too much for children to handle. Some examples of scenes of domestic abuse include those indicating that Donald becomes increasingly violent to Ivana as he expands his domination. These scenes are highly charged and depict the mental and verbal abuse that affects their interactions. Thus, there is no graphic depiction of abuse, but the tone and actions demonstrated are abusive. The movie also highlights Trump’s ruthless tendency in business that involves threats, intimidation, and, bullying in different business domains. While it may not be aggressive in a physical form, the constant emotional and psychological abuse depicted can be quite powerful.
Language: Strong language is also present as some of the characters use f***, s***, and other related wordage throughout the movie. Some of the characters are also known to use vulgar language when they are provoked, and this can be seen in instances where the story depicts the business world. Yes, there are instances where characters utter demeaning and what may be considered offensive words such as sexist comments or racially-charged remarks. This crude language correlates with the unforgiving business and tactics involved in corporate power play in the era of the 1980s.
Sex & Nudity: There are a couple of scenes that may be interpreted as representing sexual activity, one of which portrays Donald and Ivana before they formally became a couple. These scenes are not overly erotically charged but contain some rather provocative movements, kissing, and love scenes which are more appropriate for adult films. While there is not much exposure of the skin in the movie, there could be some scenes that depict characters being semi-naked, for instance, in a bedroom scene where Donald is with Ivana. The nudity is there but only at the last instance when they are swinging; however, it can be said that nudity is not completely absent in the drama. There are some sexual jokes and references in the dialogue and they are used by characters when with people in a business environment or other related contexts. It is usually adult-oriented and some of the content might cause distress to the younger generation.
Substance Use: As with alcohol, characters constantly consume alcoholic drinks, especially during formal parties, corporate events, and cocktail parties. Consumption of alcohol sometimes to the point of intoxication is part of the glamorous life as portrayed in the movie. The film also illustrates the Trump character increasingly relying on “diet pills,” depicted as amphetamines. It is noted that these pills helped his intense drive and played a role in causing his unstable behaviors. Although we do not see Donald using drugs, the impact of this addiction is reflected in the steadily rising irresponsible tendencies of the main character. There are implied instances of sexual situations and some characters are portrayed as smoking cigarettes, which are appropriate because they depict the social norms of the period. It is not a significant aspect but can be observed in some scenes of the movie.
