The Apprentice *****

Starring : Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Martin Donovan, Maria Bakalova, Emily Mitchell and Patch Darragh

Director : Ali Abbasi

Duration Running Time : [approx] 2 Hours 3 Minutes. {123 Mins}

Certification Rating Certificate : 15

Distribution : Studiocanal, Mongrel Media, Nordisk Film, Briarcliff Entertainment, Scythia Films, Profile Pictures, Tailored Films, Rich Spirit, AQuest Films, Head Gear Films, Metrol Technology, AC Films Inc, Wild7 Films

Meet Sebastian Stan, a Romanian-American actor.

Now this actor, in question, is in fact no stranger to governmental subterfuge on the big screen.

Just 'ten years earlier' in 2014, is that he had instantly gained at least major recognition for his role as 'Bucky Barnes/ Winter Soldier in the 'MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE' - 'MCU' - media franchise - that began with the film 'CAPTAIN AMERICA : THE FIRST AVENGER' {2011}, and which also had included the 'DISNEY +' mini-series 'THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER' {2021}.

On television, Stan, in question, portrayed Carter Baizen in 'GOSSIP GIRL' {2007-2010} for three years - and also as 'THE MAD HATTER' in 'ONCE UPON A TIME' {2012}, and was also 'NOMINATED' for a 'CRITICS' CHOICE TELEVISION AWARD' as Thomas James - 'T.J Hammond' in the 'mini-series' - 'POLITICAL ANIMALS' {2012}.

But then in 2022, he received 'CRITICAL ACCLAIM' for portraying Tommy Lee, an American musician who co-founded and also played the drums for 'MOTLEY CRUE', a heavy-metal band, in the 'HULU' 'mini-series' - 'PAM & TOMMY' opposite Lily James star of 'DOWNTON ABBEY' and also 'MAMMA MIA ! HERE WE GO AGAIN' as Pamela Anderson - earning 'NOMINATIONS' for a 'PRIMETIME EMMY AWARD', 'a 'GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD', and also a 'CRITICS' CHOICE AWARD' as well.

On film, Stan, in question, also had 'SUPPORTING ROLES' in 'RIKKI AND THE FLASH' {2015}, a comedy drama written by Diablo Cody, a former stripper/turned screenwriter - which also became an Oscar-Winning screenplay and directed by Jonathan Demme, and also featuring Meryl Streep, Mamie Gummer {Streep's real-life daughter}, and also Kevin Kline, 'THE MARTIAN' {also 2015},this is classed as a 'science-fiction epic film' directed by Sir Ridley Scott {aka Sir 'RIDDERS'} and based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir, also featuring Matt Damon Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig, Sean Bean, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Pena, Kate Mara and also Benedict Wong plus 'LOGAN LUCKY' {2017},directed by Steven Soderbergh, this is classed as 'A HEIST COMEDY' featuring Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Riley Keough, Hilary Swank, Katie Holmes, Katherine Waterston, Dwight Yoakam and also Daniel Craig.

He has also starred in 'I, TONYA' {2017}, as Jeff Gilhooly, Tonya's boyfriend and also her ex-husband and also featuring Margot Robbie decades before she starred in 'BARBIE'[2023], and also based on the 'BEST SELLING DOLL' as Tonya Harding, an American figure skater, who by the way was also involved in the connection to the unique assault on Nancy Kerrigan, a rival ice-skater back in 1994, thirty years earlier, at the US World Skating Championships, and also 'FRESH' {2022}, a horror thriller, directed by Mimi Cave - this was also Cave's directorial debut and also featured Daisy Edgar-Jones star of 'TWISTERS' {2024}, an American disaster movie, directed by Lee Isaac Chung and also featured Glenn Powell star of 'TOP GUN : MAVERICK {2022], as LT Jake ['HANGMAN'] Seresin, an F/A - 18E pilot.

'TWISTERS' in question also serves as 'A STAND-ALONE SEQUEL' to 'TWISTER' {1996}, directed by Jan de Bont, a former cinematographer, who also shot 'DIE HARD' {1988}, {known as a 'FESTIVE ACTION MOVIE'} directed by John McTiernan, featuring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman - and is also responsible for 'directing action films' such as 'SPEED'{1994}, featuring Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and Dennis Hopper and also 'THE HAUNTING'- this was the 1999 remake featuring Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones (aka Mrs Michael Douglas),Owen Wilson, Lilli Taylor, Bruce Dern and also Virginia Madsen of the 1963 original supernatural movie directed by Robert Wise and also featuring Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson and also Russ Tamblyn - based on the original novel originally published in 1959 - and also entitled as 'THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE by Shirley Jackson, which by the way is now an American supernatural horror drama television mini-series spilt into 'TEN PARTS' and also showing on 'NETFLIX'.

Then in 2024, Stan in question, had also won the 'SILVER BEAR AWARD and which he also attended and also even presented to him at the 'BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL' ['BIFF'] for 'BEST LEADING PERFORMANCE' as Edward Lemuel, a struggling actor with 'NUEROFIBROMATOSIS' in 'A DIFFERENT MAN' which is described as 'AN AMERICAN BLACK COMEDY PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER' written and directed by Aaron Schimberg and also featuring Renate Reinsve as Ingrid Vold, his new neighbour, and who's also an aspiring playwright.

Just for the record, 'NUEROFIBROMATOSIS' or 'NF' - actually refers to a group of at least 'THREE DISTINCT GENETIC CONDITIONS' and in which that 'TUMORS' grow in the nervous system.

The tumors in question are in fact 'NON-CANCEROUS' {BENIGN}, and often involve the skin or surrounding bone. Although the symptoms are often 'MILD', each condition of this is presented as differently. 'NUEROFIBROMATOSIS TYPE I' {'NF1'} is also typically characterised by 'cafe au lait spots' - {light brown patches of skin}, 'NUEROFIBROMAS' - {small bumps in or even under the skin}, 'SCOLIOCIS' {side-way curvature of the back}, and also 'HEADACHES'.

'NUEROFIBROMATOSIS TYPE II' {'NF2'}, on the other hand, may also present with early on-set 'hearing loss', 'cataracts', 'tinnitus', 'difficulty walking or even maintaining balance', and also 'muscle atrophy'.

The 'THIRD' type of this is also called 'SCHWANNOMATOSIS' - and that in question often presents 'IN EARLY ADULTHOOD' with 'widespread pain', 'numbness', or even 'tingling' that's also due to 'nerve compression'.

The cause in question, is in fact, a 'GENETIC MUTATION' in certain 'ONCOGENES'. These, can in fact, be 'INHERITED' - or even - in 'half of cases' - 'spontaneously occur during early development'. But also that different mutations in question - also result in the unique 'THREE TYPES' of 'NF'. The 'NUEROFIBROMATOSIS' in question, also arise from the unique 'SUPPORTING CELLS' of the 'NERVOUS SYSTEMS - rather than the 'NUERONS' themselves.

For example : in 'NF1' - the tumors in question, are in fact 'NUEROFIBROMAS' - {tumors of the peripheral nerves}, while also in 'NF2' and also 'SCHWANNOMATOSIS' - that 'TUMORS OF SCHWANN CELLS' - are at least classed as 'more common'.

But also that 'THE DIAGNOSIS' in question - is in fact typically based on the following : such as 'symptoms', 'examination', 'medical imaging', and also 'biopsy'.

'GENETIC TESTING' in question, may in fact 'rarely be done - to support the diagnosis.

There is no 'PREVENTION' or even a 'CURE'.

But also that Surgery may be done to 'REMOVE THE TUMORS - THAT ARE ALSO CAUSING THE MANY PROBLEMS -OR THAT EVEN IN THE PROCESS - HAVE BECOME KNOWN AS 'CANCEROUS'.

There are also 'MANY TECHNIQUES' such as 'RADIATION' and even 'CHEMOTHERAPY' may also be used - 'THAT IS - IF THE CANCER IN QUESTION - SHOULD ALSO OCCURS' - AS A RESULT.

Also appearing in 'A DIFFERENT MAN' is Adam Pearson who also portrays the character of Oswald, a man who in the film also has 'NUEROFIBROMATOSIS'.

Pearson, in real life, is not only a British actor, but is also a tv presenter, and a campaigner as well.

Pearson also has 'NUEROFIBROMATOSIS' - and that back in 2013, he made his 'acting debut in 'UNDER THE SKIN' - based on the novel by Michel Faber, originally published in 2000, and that it is also classed simply as a ' a science-fiction' movie directed by Jonathan Glazer, and also featured Scarlett Johannson as an 'otherworldly' woman who simply 'preys' on men in Scotland, but also interestingly that Pearson, in question, has also been involved in outreach programmes such as 'THE UNDATEABLES' and also 'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST' as well as the documentaries 'ADAM PEARSON : FREAK SHOW' and also 'THE UGLY FACE OF DISABILITY HATE CRIME' shown on 'BBC THREE' - to simply 'HIGHLIGHT' - and also to 'PREVENT' - 'THE BULLYING THAT'S ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH DEFORMITIES'.

Meanwhile 'THE APPRENTICE' directed by Ali Abbasi, is classed as a 'BIOGRAPHICAL' drama, and that it explores the years of two powerful men - one of which is Donald John Trump {Stan} and the other happens to be Roy Cohn {Strong}.

'THE APPRENTICE' in question also focuses on the relationship between Trump who has an ambition to become one day as 'THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES' and Cohn who also classed as 'A DARK LEGAL SCORCERER' that's more powerful than Merlin, Harry Potter, and even Gandalf all rolled into one exciting package of magical wonders, and also becomes as Trump's original mentor - and also during this period between the decade of the 1970's -1980's gives him plenty of advice such as 'ATTACK' ! 'ATTACK' ! 'ATTACK' ! -and also 'IF YOU'RE INDICTED, YOU'RE ALSO INVITED' when going along to hideous parties, and also boosting up his original profile.

This was originally classed as an 'international co-production' between Canada, Denmark, Ireland and also the United States when the film was announced in May 2018, but also 'LANGUISHED' for many several years - that is - until in 2023 - about 'five years later' - when the the likes of Abbasi, Stan and also Strong star of 'SUCCESSION' as Kendall Roy joined up in 2023, but also that after 'PREMIERING' at the prestigious 77TH 'CANNES FILM FESTIVAL' on May 20, 2024, the film in question had actually struggled to find 'AN AMERICAN DISTRIBUTION FILM COMPANY - due to its ''UNIQUE SUBJECT MATTER'' - and also ''AN ATTEMPT BY TRUMP'S LEGAL TEAM'' to simply ''BLOCK ITS THEATRICAL CINEMA RELEASE''.

However, just before Trump in question, became the '45TH PRESIDENT' of the United States, he was probably most famous 'ONLY IN AMERICA' for being classed as 'THE ORIGINAL BOARDROOM BOSS' in 'THE APPRENTICE' - and also the role that even Lord Alan Sugar - would also - 'MAKE HIS OWN' - only - 'ONE YEAR LATER' - when he appeared on British tv screens here.

But also then that there's also a new feature film that has arrived with the same title, ahead of the forthcoming 'US' ELECTIONS' happening on Tuesday November 5, 2024, which also happens to be 'BONFIRE NIGHT' and where there will be 'plenty of fireworks' on who will simply get the keys and that most importantly, that who will be moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, known as 'THE WHITE HOUSE' come January 2025 known to many as 'INAUGURATION DAY' when its out with the old and in with the new.

However, will it be Trump the former President and also the biggest crook since Richard Milhaus Nixon [aka 'Tricky Dicky'] who was ousted for starting the January 6 'riots' of 2021, when the United States Capitol Building was 'under attack' by a mob of supporters of then President Trump when what happened 'ON HIS WATCH' and also resulting in many deaths, not forgetting many assassination attempts on his his life that's more exciting than a cat who has simply 'NINE LIVES' - or will it be Harris - the young pretender who has the golden touch and also make history - the choice is yours but there is only 'one winner' - and one than can simply make a difference in changing the world - but also that at what cost of a higher price to pay for - 'A SIMPLE LIFE' .

But also however that this has nothing to do with the shouting phrase concerning - ''YOU'RE FIRED !'' - but instead that this film take us right the way back to the decade concerning the early 1970's -1980's - in New York City, at a time when the world in general - was very different at its time, when Trump, in question, was in fact was working in real estate for Fred Trump Sr {Donovan}, a real-estate mogul father of the original company and then that we first see both Trump and also Cohn at New York's elitist 'LE CLUB' and where Cohn in question, agrees to defend Trump against the Justice Department's allegations that his 'REAL ESTATE COMPANY' had in back been 'DISCRIMINATED' against the black tenants.

Cohn, in question, had in fact also made a comfortable spot in 'SOME OF THE MOST INFAMOUS CHAPTERS' in American history.

Described as a {reportedly} closeted gay man, he was in fact Senator Joseph McCarthy's fiercest ally during the 'LAVENDER SCARE', which also claimed 'homosexuality' to be as an 'UN-AMERICAN' a unique ideal as communism, and also drove countless government workers out of work and also towards ruin.

Cohn, is also classed as 'A PRETENTIOUS LAWYER' known for 'PROSECUTING THE ROSENBERG'S' - JULIUS (born May 12, 1918), and also ETHEL (born September 28, 1915), were an American married couple - who were 'CONVICTED' of 'SPYING FOR THE SOVIET UNION' - but also that Cohn, in question, had also played 'A PROMINENT ROLE' in the 1951 'ESPIONAGE TRIAL' involving Julius and also Ethel - when Cohn's 'DIRECT EXAMINATION' of David Greengrass - Ethel's brother - had produced testimony - that was ''CENTRAL'' to the Rosenberg's 'CONVICTION' and also subsequent 'EXECUTION' - which happened on June 19, 1953, - at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, situated at Ossining, New York City, plus Julius was 35 years of age - where as Ethel (nee Greengrass - her maiden name) was 37 years of age, when they 'BOTH WENT TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR' and were 'EXECUTED'.

Greengrass, in question, also testified that 'HE HAD ALSO ASSISTED' the espionage activities of his ''brother-in-law'' - by simply acting as a courier of ''CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS'' -that had been ''stolen'' - from - ''THE MANHATTAN PROJECT' - by Klaus Fuchs, and just for the record - ''THE MANHATTAN PROJECT'' - in question - was in fact classed as a 'RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM' that was simply undertaken during WWII to simply produce as 'THE FIRST NUCLEAR WEAPONS'.

On the other hand, Stan's unique performance as Trump, offers up as a well-measured foetal kind - all of the narcissism and the cruelty are beautifully fitted into place, his original blonde hair also resembles a certain Robert Redford but also the the bloated-circus show still in early rehearsals, that personally vacancy instead is filled by a queasy eagerness and that he simply jumps up like 'a starved dog' (think Erland Haaland - 'down boy' ! a player who plays for Manchester City and Norway) any time that he can smell power as you do in the near vicinity.

'THE APPRENTICE' in question, is basically classed as a far less original motion picture - its unique ambience simply borrowed from the likes of say Martin Scorsese and also Francis Ford Coppola - two men that go on an epic journey - by searching for - 'THE AMERICAN DREAM' - and also where there are also even shades of 'THE GODFATHER : PART II' [1974], where the character of Fredo Corleone [superbly portrayed by the legendary John Cazale] gets embarrassingly and also tearfully drunk - situated at a top major event - and where he simply becomes as 'a low-life' loser - that scene featured in 'THE GODFATHER: PART II' - is also 'replicated' as a unique carbon-copy in this movie.

We also get to see the story of Donald's 'RISE TO THE TOP' with Ivana {Bakalova}, his first wife, at his side, while also exploring the mega-marble interior decor in Trump Tower, but there's also a rumour of a 'rape scene' in the film, along with the unique disclaimer at the beginning of about fictionalisation and also the main themes of Donald in question to Roy's ethos of power worship, had many here which also beforehand would be expecting a moment like the one in Howard Brenton's 'THE ROMANS IN BRITAIN' - this is classed as a unique 'secret chapter' consisting of 'VIOLENCE', 'SHAME' and even 'POWER'.

But that also it isn't even like that - or not exactly.

Because, that in the film itself, that Donald in question, 'DOES IN FACT - RAPE IVANA' - who had in question, had also been 'taunting' him about his hair and also his weight - and also that this moment and also as every bit as 'HATEFUL' and also 'MYSOGINISTIC' and also quite 'SHOCKING' as you would expect in a movie like this.

In reality that Ivana in question had later 'RETRACTED' her allegation of rape; and that Trump, as usual, had in fact always 'DENIED' it - and also had said 'on the record' that his former wife's interpretation of the 'TRUE EVENTS' that followed - were in fact - 'FALSE'.

But also that then the film in question, soon. returns to its usual pastiche-montage of amoral narcissum and also conceit, and that so often it appears that Donald Trump in question comes across as nothing much more than a rascally and also tiresome chump.

However, there is also something very pathetic about Cohn's final illness, and also his unique humiliation at the hands of the ungrateful Donald - who started out as a nobody - and ended up as say King Midas - that everything he touched - turned instantly into 100% pure gold, but also that again the film in question comes close to a mood of a glum yet knowing resignation that also in the face of this ugly callousness, which also has had to be rather and also obviously pointed up with a dialogue scene between Cohn and also Ivana.

But also that in question, and also in sketching out his pre-White-House career, that 'THE APPRENTICE' in question simply moves us back to the old Donald, the joke that even Donald himself, who also had a 'cameo-appearance' in 'HOME ALONE 2 : LOST IN NEW YORK' {1992} - and directed by Chris Columbus - and is the sequel to 'HOME ALONE' {1990}, which, ironically is also directed by - Chris Columbus - and also of course his own tv show - which ironically is also called 'THE APPRENTICE' - are you confused as I am ? - well, yes you are because as it turns out - that this is the joke - that is simply classed as beyond unfunny, just because that at the end of the day that it also feels as obtuse - and also irrelevant.

Donald John Trump simply wants you to know that you should never see this film - but now that the film is out in movie theatres/cinemas - you have the unique chance to simply see what the film is all about - and also that he has been very disapproval about the film in question in which he has described the film in question as 'CHEAP', 'CLASSLESS' and also 'DEFAMATORY' - and that he has also 'EXPRESSED' - that - 'IT WILL BOMB AT THE BOX-OFFICE'.

Trump in question, also took a particular issue with scenes - depicting him - in a negative light - including one where he allegedly assaults Ivana Trump - his ''then-wife'' - and also that in another scene where he gets liposuction and also surgery to cover up a ''bald-spot''.

However, despite Trump's criticism - that the film's main stars - concerning Sebastian Stan and also Jeremy Strong, who by the way, both give memorable performances throughout have also - ''DEFENDED THE FILM'' - in question, by simply emphasising its 'UNIQUELY HISTORICAL ACCURACY' and also the importance in 'UNDERSTANDING TRUMP'S RISE TO ABSOLUTE POWER AS THE 45TH US PRESIDENT', but also that Strong, in question, is all the more reason for many people to see the film.

Judge for yourself and that also decide whether Trump is a hero or villain, saint or sinner, and even whether the news is either fake or even genuine - because its your decision - on what lies beyond.

A UNIQUE MASTERPIECE !

Don't Miss It !

David M.G.Mitchell