THE APPRENTICE Makes Movies Political Again! | Review

[@juliejensen5634]

There never was any real chemistry between Trump and any woman, let alone Ivana. The movie brings that to light.

[@BenFriedman916]

I think that is a fair read, the only part I disagree with is this movie is about humanization of Trump, only to then have him destroy his own humanity. A scene that highlights that is his growing discontent for Ivana, thus I think the film wants you to believe they genuinely loved one another, making his fall from humanity all the more vile and cruel.

[@kennixox262]

Well, Ivanka sure gave "Daddy" a lot of lap dances and there are photos to prove it. There is more than a father - daughter relationship. I'll wait until the movie goes to streaming for viewing. I hand delivered my ballot directly into the lobby mail drop at the post office. Straight ticket "D". No Republican will ever get my vote going forward.

[@robotrix]

​@@BenFriedman916 I believe she loved who she thought he was. The saddest scene for me was when he slipped on the ice in Aspen A few more inches and he splits his head open. She could have been happy with someone else - none of his horrific children are born. BTW, he lied to her that he could ski. right?

[@FrakkinToasterLuvva]

@@BenFriedman916 I do think they showed him being genuinely in love with her at one point - because she had those traits he values, strong, ambitious, tough, charismatic - and then later he turns against her exactly because of that, because she is starting to make him feel insecure. But even at the height of their relationship, I don't feel like she is who he is emotionally most invested in. There is a reason why the cast and director are describing the movie as love story and they don't mean between him and Ivana. The scene in the bar at the beginning sets the theme for the whole movie when he is having a chemistry-free date with a woman who's being clearly bored by him and keeps talking about the rich men in the Club instead of focusing on her. "Why are you obsessed with these men?" And he replies, it is because that is who I want to be. And that's the crux of it. His date leaves to supposedly powder her nose (maybe not to return) and he doesn't even notice as he has just locked eyes with Roy Cohn for the first time.

[@ninadekoning_]

@@FrakkinToasterLuvvaSuch a stellar read. I totally agree.

[@P0sitive_vibes_0nly]

Sebastian doesn't impersonate Trump. He embodies him so the film won't be too distracting in case his impression is bad or that'll grow annoyance.

[@BenFriedman916]

I agree I think it helps the film that he doesn’t simply rely on an impression like others would do

[@geoswan4984]

Maria Bakalova, as Ivana Trump, was my favourite character. I was surprised at how sympathetic I found her character.

[@milascave2]

She was a very good actress in Borat 2

[@BenFriedman916]

She is incredible in Borat 2 and deserved the oscar

[@BenFriedman916]

To each their own. I found her a bit flat

[@timmcdraw7568]

They intentionally made it clear that their relationship was transactional. That was the point of the money conversation in the street. They didnt fall madly in love, it was smart business on both of their ends. And then THAT turned bitter. But thousands of marriages are built like that (depressing as that is. Its sort of the way the model is built), especially among the rich and those hoping to become rich, and they can stay polite and even gentle if never madly dripping with love. I thought the actress did a wonderful job Portraying a readiness to enter into that sort of relationship. I know, its not what we are used to seeing on screen. But this film did a good job at showing the reality in my opinion

[@BenFriedman916]

I think the film does a good job of showing it as transactional; however, I also think the film wants us to believe Trump truly loved her in the beginning

[@lpquagmire3621]

As Trump has proven time and time again, there's no such thing as bad publicity. This is a man with 34 felony convictions and he's still in the hunt to become President of the United States. Trump understands this game better than anyone and I would not rule out his attempts to quash this movie as just another ploy to win him more publicity...

[@BenFriedman916]

At this point I don’t think he needs to quash this movie as it seems not a big enough audience is seeking this film (which I can’t blame people not wanting to spend time with anything related to Trump this close to an election).

[@charlotteb.derrick5117]

Excellent Review ❤

[@kennixox262]

You can't quash a movie that it already in the theaters. It is also protected by the First Amendment.

[@lpquagmire3621]

@@kennixox262 For now.

[@BenFriedman916]

@@charlotteb.derrick5117Thank you for the kind words !! If you haven’t already I hope you consider subscribing! I got lucky and was able to see this movie a few weeks early which I am able to do because of the support my channel gets, so all the subscription and likes count :) !!

[@janiekcarney5482]

I didn’t know who Trump was until The Apprentice TV show. People in New York and the business world would know much much more.

[@BenFriedman916]

Thank you all for the support of this review 💙💙💙 Don’t forget to vote!! And if you haven’t already please consider subscribing to my KZbin channel for more movie reviews!

[@janiekcarney5482]

There isn’t time to cover everything in a movie. The only movie I’m willing to go to the theater to see.

[@JoePlett]

I didn't see "The Apprentice" as political. I saw it asd a character study of avarice.... the lust for power & prestige.... about a student hell-bent on learning from - and eclipsing - the master. That's both Roy Cohn and father Fred. It shows how Donald wanted to earn the respect of these teachers, then to show them he had transcended them. I never for a moment mistook this for a documentary, but as a character study of someone who lived for achievement - but once achieved, quickly got bored by it and sought the next quest. This film's Trump struck me as a compulsive gamer or gambler, who was only engaged when he was striving to level up. I'm not qualified to compare this film to reality, but I felt the motivations and inner working of the character in the movie were pretty clear. I also think they picked an ideal place to stop telling the story.

[@FrakkinToasterLuvva]

How did he "transcend" his teacher though? Aside from just being a straght-ish Protestant from a rich family more marketable to the public and with a rich dad who could throw money at him every time.

[@janiekcarney5482]

This is a character study of Trump.

[@fernandocalles1726]

Love finding the little cave where leftist idiots gather 😂

[@sebsignat8286]

I saw Stan in a different man and thought he did good - great job

[@BenFriedman916]

My review for A Different Man comes out tomorrow but I agree… he’s having one hell of a year! Hope if you haven’t done so yet you consider subscribing to check out my review dropping tomorrow :)

[@slaycj2413]

I went to see it yesterday. There was 1 other person in the theater with me 😂. I liked this movie a lot. It never got slow or boring. I grew up in the Northeast and Sebastian Stan did a great job in capturing Trump’s “essence” at that time.

[@BenFriedman916]

Glad to hear you liked it and thanks for checking out my review - and hope if you liked it you’d consider subscribing if you haven’t done so :)

[@TheLily97232]

Loved it a lot too. I'll watch it again no question

[@laighacamren3061]

I didnt even know this movie and now im planning to do a double feature this weekend with Joker and The Apprentice. Thanks. It is nice to see a movie that shows that 1980s Trump that seemed as down to earth someone like him can turn into who he is today

[@BenFriedman916]

I do want to say because I think it’s important… this movie humanizes Trump but it doesn’t make him necessarily a good man to start the movie. Narcissistic personality is still there, rather his relationship with Cohn weaponizes all his worst tendencies.

[@laighacamren3061]

@@BenFriedman916 I think that's something we need in our storytelling. People can have bad influences in their life and be shaped by them but that doesn't make them not responsible for their actions

[@BenFriedman916]

@@laighacamren3061agreed

[@juanitafurtado8805]

Excellent review. I really like how you emphasize the larger themes rather than concentrate on actor's impersonations. As someone a lot older than you and as a person who.knew some one who was at one time intimately. Involved with Roy Cohn, your take on him is very interesting. Can't wait to.see Jeremy Strong as Cohn. I remember Cohn as evil.incarnate indeed, and Jeremy as one of the best actors around is.perfect casting.

[@BenFriedman916]

Thanks for the kind words and glad you enjoyed ! I hope if you liked my review you consider subscribing :)

[@SergioGonzalez-ew2po]

T 4:32 his is NOT a partisan movie...the director is an Iranian ...the producers didnt have the money so they spent about 4 years looking for finance....plus it got DELAYED....So...BELIEVE IT OR NOT ...its just a coincidence that it is being released 3 weeks before the election!!!😂

[@BenFriedman916]

I mean I’ll give you that it may be a coincidence that the film was finished in 2024, but I do think its release date post distribution acquisition is intentional.

[@SergioGonzalez-ew2po]

@@BenFriedman916 Anyway...its a good movie and hope the best!..thanks for the video!

[@SerenaLaws-Kilt-This]

I hope this movie inspires people to study Roy Cohn and to dig deep into his effect on the USA for 3 decades and his protégés continue this grift; Donald Trump and Roger Stone. *To these men, the USA is a business and “politics,” is code for the business entities that pay politicians and BLACK MAIL politicians and judges, to manipulate policies to use the people as tax payers as an ATM.

[@BenFriedman916]

Tbh I don’t know if this movie is capable of gaining new audiences just due to how partisan/divisive a figure like Trump is, but I think this movie is a good introduction into that world.

[@tonywords6713]

Yup. NETWORK nailed this decades ago with Ned Beattys speech towards the end

[@SerenaLaws-Kilt-This]

@@tonywords6713 Broadcast News warned us….Wag the Dog warned us…

[@kennixox262]

Unfortunately, Americans don't know history and the likes of Roy Cohn or his involvement with Senator McCarthy, the Red Scare and Communist witch hunts of the 1950's. Too bad schools no longer educate their students.

[@MarkusMazzo]

And you think that only applies to Trump and Roy Cohn and not to the other political players and parties? You need to wake up and smell the coffee, dude.

[@FrakkinToasterLuvva]

I don't know why you think showing a glimpse of Cohn's sex life was about some sort of attempt to satirize the "conservatives" (I'm not sure either Cohn or Trump really fall into that description) or hypocrisy of the right wing. It's a crucial part of who Cohn was and for understanding his persona and motivations. And it plays an important role in his dynamic with Trump too. The way their dynamic works reminds me of what Roger Stone said, they (his friends, mentees, business parthers) all knew Cohn was hacing sex with men and there were all those handsome young men around him, but they also knew this was not something they were ever allowed to bring up. In the movie, you can see that Trump definitely has feelings about knowing this (what exactly is up to the viewer as he doesn't say it outright)- and it adds to the tension between them throughout but mostly it remains unspoken, except when Trump hints at it in some of his outrbursts.

[@janiekcarney5482]

When do we get to watch it in Oklahoma??

[@BenFriedman916]

Honestly I don’t think it will make it wide. From my understanding the film may make its debut for VOD soon. It would be smart to do VOD this week, but not sure if they will…

[@FrakkinToasterLuvva]

The "did you learning anything new" criticism is so weird. I've never seen it used with any other biopic or film/TV show based on real life events and characters. Of course you're not going to learn anything new if you have already researched the subject. It's not investigative journalism uncovering some completely new info no one else has found out over the last 40 years. (The majority of people, however, are not really familiar with Trump's formative years and relationship with Roy Cohn - they're just familiar with the current Trump, President Trump, or reality show host Trump,) But that never stopped Hollywood from making the 50th movie about Henry VIII and his wives or some other overdone subject. This one certainly hasn't been covered ion screen.

[@BenFriedman916]

I should have clarified, but by anything new criticism… I think that is another way of saying does the movie just stick to wiki summary or does it try to take new angles/approaches to telling a story. A good example would be the Jobs movie with Kutcher vs Steve Jobs with Fassbender. Both same figure, but one is very much a summary of a life, and one is exploring the man in a specific moment. Not a great example in this case since I think this movie feels a bit like a wiki summary and is also capturing a specific moment in Trump’s life, but just wanted to explain my phrasing there and will be mindful in the future to clarify such phrasing lol

[@FrakkinToasterLuvva]

@@BenFriedman916 I was referring to how this argument was used in some negative reviews, and it always struck me as odd. Whether a movie does a good job of having these figures come to life- that's a legitimate reason fod potential criticism. Or whether there is a clear arc and point to the story. But "we don't learn anything new" is just an odd thing to say about movie based on real events.

[@tonywords6713]

Totally agree but this movie isn't really a biopic in the formal sense of what people mean when they use that word which is why I think there's some confusion about it

[@janiekcarney5482]

I think when Obama made fun of Trump at the press roast that they hold every year. that solidified Trump wanting to be President. He had achieve what he could in business. Being President was a challenge. Obama challenged Trump by making fun of him and almost every in the room was laughing too.

[@cifratv]

On the other hand, I think Bakalova is Oscar worthy in a performance that it is way more subtle and that is required at a couple of moments to make her presence push both Trump and Cohn, and always conveying something important about her character: she's aware, from an early moment, that she'll be eventually betrayed as well. Her role is both an amalgam of Trump's relationships with women - not only Ivana - and the best way the film has to both humanize Trump (is he in love for real, or is it just an obsession) and his downfall into full monster status. I think it is a masterpiece and Ivana's role being diminished has more to do with Abbasi and the writer wanting us to not be distracted from the core message of the film... as Cohn built Trump, Trump has spawned plenty of other Trump-wannabees worldwide.

[@ehzimmer]

Saw it -- good movie! Entertaining, engrossing, well acted.

[@BenFriedman916]

100% agreed! Thanks for watching and hope if you haven’t done so already you consider subscribing for more movie reviews!

[@Lifeoftheparty8290]

Jesus Christ this is a film people a FILM enjoy it enjoy the performances look I’m not a maga or anti maga but this film was more about trump it was about Ambition, Greed, a monster creating a monster it’s not just trump it’s business men, politicians, lawyers, influencers Please keep politics out of this when watching it I didn’t even think about politics when watching this give it a chance please guys at the end of the day ITS A FILM

[@rwulf]

Is the movie political? What a ridiculous question. Yes, the movie is political. Obviously it's political. ALL creative media is political, and always has been. If you see a piece of media and think otherwise, you either agree with its message or were too stupid to notice it.

[@BenFriedman916]

By political, in this context I simply mean is this movie about politics, which I’d argue it’s not; however, by being about Trump it makes the story inherently political due to the context of which he exists right now.

[@rwulf]

@@BenFriedman916 I'm not sure how that read is even possible. Even with the strangely narrow definition of "is this political" as "is this literally about modern day politicians" a film about arguably the most infamous politician in the world clearly fits even that definition.

[@BenFriedman916]

@@rwulf Personally I think all art is political in some way or another. In the context of The Apprentice I simply mean some people may go into this movie basically thinking they’ll get an understanding of the political principles that guide him and they will walk out learning politics doesn’t seem to be a big part of Trump’s life, rather a tool he utilizes for his own personal gain.

[@brentbrooks3]

The movie does not comment on conservatism because Trump is not a conservative in the Edmund Burke sense.

[@BenFriedman916]

I agree, but I do think this movie is trying to show why American conservatism is a perfect vessel for men like this to acquire such power and why it’s suited for men like Trump, Stone, and Cohn - despite no one living the way conservative politics would adhere them to live. I don’t think the movie fully captures that idea which it is trying to convey.

[@suzannebunbury2961]

Brilliant!

[@BenFriedman916]

Glad you checked out my review! Hope you continue subscribing if you haven’t yet :)

[@AUSCarLover]

Typical movie makers and writers often rely heavily on their left brain to create a logical storyline. To them, left-brain characters make sense because good, logical plots don't usually need unreasonable conflicts. That's why the narrative often suggests that Trump is a copy of Roy Cohn. What they don't realize is that Trump may actually be right-brain dominant, with his own unique character, drawing positive traits from those around him. When he praises figures like Xi Jinping, Putin, or even Hitler, it doesn’t mean he would copy them. Unlike left-brain dominant individuals, who tend to mimic those who have imprinted on them-whether good or bad-right-brain dominant people are more selective and original in their actions. For instance, a left-brain Trump in a movie might copy everything from Roy Cohn or later become a dictator after following Putin, Xi, or Hitler just because he didn’t denounce them. A leftist who was bullied as a child might become a bully themselves, while a rightist would fight against bullies. There are studies supporting this kind of personality distinction. So, this movie narrative reflects the perspective of the left-brain dominant, who often misunderstand how the right-brain dominant think. They continuously cite Roy Cohn and Trump, as portrayed in the movie, as if it’s a factual comparison. While science shows we use both sides of the brain, in reality, we see dramatic personality differences in people, which are likely linked to left-brain or right-brain dominance. This concept could also be linked to political ideologies and explain many observable phenomena.

[@Preetvnd]

bro what the ?

[@tonywords6713]

Okay professor 🤡

[@AUSCarLover]

@@tonywords6713 Regardless of ignorance, short comments look wise; lefties like to do this. Many of them have suffered mental illnesses these days due to the lack of understanding. I'm sorry for you.

[@wichard1994]

Even Pamela Anderson doesn't like her tv series in Netflix. But hey, that is normal,

[@Cherrysmith2809]

If Trump gets back in the WH, he will spend an inordinate amount of time going after his “enemies” such as the producers and distributors of this movie…unless they flatter him, of course.

[@BenFriedman916]

Hopefully he does not have any grips with KZbin critics who reviewed the movie *gulp* If you haven’t subscribed yet please considering subscribing before Tru*p tries to have me arrested for my review lol

[@leightnite3056]

I agree!

[@BenFriedman916]

Thanks for checking out my video! I’m glad you too enjoyed the movie and hope you consider subscribing for more reviews!

[@marcemerson5757]

Cohn is pronounced like "cone" with one syllable.

[@dragongeraldb]

Movies have always been political with both sides in a sneaky way, i am a liberal but not a fake one, as a matter of fact just Democratic is what i am, any way i had great conversations with my Republican friends, finding new ways to improve our country so the lower and middle class could also rise. now it is unrecognizable zealots in place of my Republican friends and selfish money loving scum as my party, well not my party any more. maybe we could have 4 party's, two who care about all our citizens and two who, well, try to use faith and money as weapons.

[@richardlewis7172]

He was a democrat in his former years

[@BenFriedman916]

And he’s the republican candidate now and Roy Cohn is a conservative figure… so your point is

[@richardlewis7172]

@@BenFriedman916 it’s 100% misleading. Created by Hollywood that has hated him since 2015. I never said anything about Roy Cohn being democrat. The movie just paints a false picture just like most other Hollywood biopics.

[@pegacorn13]

He's been a douche all his life

[@KcityMikeThomas]

@@BenFriedman916 Trump was a corrupt Democrat and then he changed.

[@FrakkinToasterLuvva]

@@BenFriedman916 There is actually very little genuine difference between the Democrats and the Republicans, and we're seeing this now very strongly, Abbasi agrees with me there, they are all a part of the same political establishment.

[@bbcbbc1717]

The performances here are so amazing and think word of mouth will attract people to the film that might have initially been put off by seeing a Trump film.

[@BenFriedman916]

I agree 100%

[@omnologos]

People going crazy over The Apprentice because it makes Trump look human? They +are+ the monsters.

[@tonywords6713]

Thanks for giving a balanced review. So many people are losing their minds over this (surprisingly its mostly liberals which i didnt expect)

[@BenFriedman916]

I just think Uber conservative audience have skipped this movie entirely. Admittedly, I thought figures like Shapiro would try and make it a culture wars thing, but I guess a movie that shows Trump raping his wife is bad even if you try and spin it as fake news

[@sillyrabbit734]

Sebastian Stan is a very handsome man - Trump is the most odious man I know. I believe Stan has the acting chops to pull it off - I just need to see it

[@BenFriedman916]

I kid you not when I say he is nothing short of incredible. His 2024 resume is wild with The Apprentice & A Different Man.

[@shaneakhan1354]

Great movie.

[@FrakkinToasterLuvva]

If Trump doesn't have chemistry with Ivana... that might be historically accurate, because I'm not sure that Trump had that much genuine chemistry with any of his wives LOL

[@BenFriedman916]

I think there is certainly a good chance that the movie is purposeful in their disjointed chemistry; however, I think based on trying to humanize the man actually given development and chemistry would have made his marriage crumbling more impactful and shown the transformation. Thanks for watching and I hope you consider subscribing if you haven’t yet :)

[@FrakkinToasterLuvva]

@@BenFriedman916 Having seen it. I now do think it was deliberate, Even though he had some genuine chemistry with her compared to the other women in the movie (with whom he had zero or negative levels). The actors and director have described this film as a love story - and they did not mean between Trump and Ivana or any of the women.

[@arenam79]

unfortunately nobody cares

[@BenFriedman916]

I could see this movie having a surge post election depending on what hapoens

[@arenam79]

@BenFriedman916 the people that know trump, know trump. The people that think they know trump, don't really wanna know trump. Nobody cares to see it..

[@patb00y]

Trump2024

[@SliceySlicer]

No

[@gemmajoseph3590]

How do you do not see ineptitude if Trump? He is not a smart businessman he is not intelligent he not patrotic. He is plainly a selfish and malovent man.

[@ricklee6196]

for jail

[@patb00y]

@@SliceySlicer Yes

[@patb00y]

@@ricklee6196 For White House