Jamal Elaheebocus reviews the biopic that debunks the idea that Donald Trump is anti-establishment

The idea of a Donald Trump biopic is not immediately appealing; you feel it’s either going to be an unsubtle character destruction or a film with not much new to say. But Ali Abbasi manages to create a critical but measured depiction of a nasty character, which sparks interest and is engaging throughout.

Written by Gabriel Sherman, The Apprentice focusses on Trump’s career as a real-estate businessman in the 70s and 80s and how he rose to power in the family business. It is elevated by some very good performances; Sebastian Stan is an uncanny Trump and Maria Bakalova is very good as Trump’s first wife.

The standout is Jeremy Strong, who is fantastic as right-wing lawyer and Trump’s mentor, Roy Cohn. The death of Cohn from Aids, following Trump’s betrayal of him, is moving despite Cohn’s right-wing and unsavoury views and his reputation for blackmail and manipulation.

It’s not a total annihilation of Trump; it’s more subtle but plenty critical enough, as demonstrated by the fact that Trump sent an unsuccessful cease-and-desist letter to producers after it premiered and has called it a ‘politically disgusting hatchet job’. It is, unsurprisingly, far from that and shows how Trump, under the mentorship of Cohn, became a ruthless character with no thought for anyone else, taking advantage of everyone close to him.

There is a very disturbing scene where Trump rapes his wife Ivana following an argument. This is based on a description given by Ivana Trump in their divorce proceedings, a description which she later retracted. It is a reminder that Trump has been accused by at least 25 women of sexual misconduct.

Importantly as well, the biography debunks the idea that Trump is anti-establishment, something around which he has based much of his campaigns. He is firmly part of the establishment, an exploitative capitalist who makes money off the backs of workers. His relationship with Roy Cohn is a result of Trump and his father trying to fight a case in which the business is accused of segregating its residential buildings, a case which is only dismissed after Cohn bribes judges.

The film also mentions occasions of Trump failing to pay construction workers who were building his hotels and skyscrapers. It depicts his admiration for the ruling class when he joins an exclusive members’ club, which includes Rupert Murdoch.

Overall, it is an interesting depiction of a side of Trump that is relatively unknown to many and gives many more reasons, as if we needed more, why he should be strongly opposed.

The Apprentice is now on general release in the UK

From this month’s Counterfire freesheet