The Apprentice

The Apprentice, a 2018 biographical television film directed by Julian Farino, delves into the world of the early days of Donald Trump, specifically how his relationship with Roy Cohn shaped his trajectory in the cutthroat world of 1970s New York real estate. The story centers around the dynamic between a young Donald Trump, portrayed by Tom Bateman, and Roy Cohn, played by Bryan Cranston, a cunning attorney with a reputation for ruthless tactics and vast connections within the city's elite circles. The narrative begins with an impressionable and ambitious Donald Trump attempting to forge his path in the competitive and often treacherous real estate landscape of 1970s New York. Trump comes from a wealthy background as the offspring of Frederick Christ Trump, a successful German-American real estate developer and businessman. However, as his father grows increasingly reclusive and his business starts to decline, Donald finds himself determined to create his own name by establishing a reputation as a brilliant and cunning businessman. This unyielding resolve eventually captures the attention of Roy Cohn, who has earned the nickname the "fixer" of the real estate world for his unmatched ability to manipulate situations by any means necessary. Cohn sees an incredible potential in the eager, yet unseasoned, Donald Trump, recognizing a kindred spirit that mirrors his own unyielding spirit and willingness to break and bend rules in pursuit of success. The shrewd and calculating Cohn becomes Trump's mentor, who not only offers indispensable guidance on navigating the intricate world of New York City's real estate market but also imparts the tactics and philosophy needed to survive in an unforgiving atmosphere. Through his connection to the powerful attorney, Donald Trump gains entree into New York City's inner circles, forging alliances and making crucial business deals that establish him as a young power player in the industry. Despite his father's attempts to caution his son against the questionable morals exhibited by Cohn, Donald is increasingly fascinated by the cunning tactics employed by his mentor. Under Cohn's tutelage, Trump is taught not only how to build a reputation for himself, but also how to protect it by whatever means possible. The relationship between the two is further cemented as Trump and Cohn work together to navigate a web of corruption that permeates their industry. With Cohn's guidance, they skillfully manipulate government officials and business leaders alike to help secure crucial contracts and favorable treatment that would aid them in their pursuit for wealth and status. While Cohn undoubtedly helps to shape Donald Trump's worldview and approach to success, their bond also reveals a more complex dynamic. For as the two men rise to the top of New York City's real estate scene together, the darker aspects of their personalities and motivations begin to surface. As Trump becomes more enmeshed with Cohn, he starts to adopt a worldview that increasingly blurs the lines between integrity and ruthlessness. Moreover, their partnership is further complicated by Cohn's own secrets, specifically his ties to figures such as Senator Joe McCarthy that are not as clean as they appear. As the series progresses, Trump becomes aware of Cohn's association with McCarthy, who used a series of questionable tactics to target alleged communist threats in America during the Cold War era. Cohn's involvement with McCarthy's methods sparks a growing unease within Trump, as the latter grapples with whether he wants to be seen as complicit or simply a beneficiary of the opportunities provided to him by Cohn. In the world of The Apprentice, it seems as though Trump's ambition, combined with a seemingly insatiable desire for power and a propensity to surround himself with morally dubious advisors, would lead to the emergence of a future figure that would polarize the nation. This portrayal humanizes, rather than demonizes, the individual often regarded as the most infamous and divisive figure in contemporary American politics. Ultimately, the series paints a multifaceted picture of the early life and career of Donald Trump, revealing a complex web of ambition, family ties, and corrupt associations that helped shape the trajectory of his life. As Trump struggles with the moral implications of his actions in association with Cohn, The Apprentice offers a poignant study of how one's associations, as well as their unwavering ambition, can influence the type of individual we become.