The Apprentice FLOPS at box office despite Sebastian Stan’s acclaimed performance as Donald Trump

The Apprentice FLOPS at box office despite Sebastian Stan's acclaimed performance as Donald Trump

As a seasoned observer of the world of entertainment and someone who has followed the tumultuous journey of the Trump family with a mixture of fascination and disbelief, I find myself once again drawn into their latest drama. The release of the film about Donald Trump’s marriage to Ivana has sparked yet another controversy, with the campaign threatening legal action against the producers.


The creators of the movie based on Donald Trump’s life, “The Apprentice,” might find themselves out of a job due to the film’s underwhelming performance at the ticket sales. In simpler terms, the poor opening weekend could lead to them hearing Trump’s famous saying, ‘You’re fired.’

As a devoted enthusiast, I found myself grappling with a film that delved into Trump’s property empire, yet failed to captivate viewers, managing just $1.58 million in earnings. This was quite surprising given its hefty production budget of $16 million and wide release across 1,750 cinemas.

Under the guidance of director Ali Abbasi, who contemplated having an actress portray the ex-president, the series The Apprentice encountered some legal obstacles earlier in 2021 as Trump’s lawyers attempted to prevent its broadcast.

Its opening day results were particularly underwhelming, with the film grossing around $150,000 on Thursday. 

In spite of the hurdles, the film, starring Sebastian Stan portraying Trump and Jeremy Strong as the Republican operative Roy Cohn, has generally garnered favorable critiques.

Reportedly, Briarcliff Entertainment is said to be planning to make the movie eligible for award nominations.

In a predominantly favorable critique, The New York Times labeled the movie as ‘exuberantly crude’ and noted an uncanny similarity between the characters Sebastian and Jeremy, and the actual individuals they depict on screen.

Manohla Dargis stated that each actor seemed to have meticulously researched their on-screen characters by focusing on the similarities in their physical traits, movements, and most notably, their vocal characteristics.

The Apprentice FLOPS at box office despite Sebastian Stan's acclaimed performance as Donald Trump
The Apprentice FLOPS at box office despite Sebastian Stan's acclaimed performance as Donald Trump

She noted: ‘The film invites you to chuckle at his excessive behavior, arrogance, and boastfulness. However, what the creators fail to warn you about, despite it being something you might expect, is the shocking scale of the American crisis that unravels right in front of your eyes.

In a glowing endorsement, The Los Angeles Times commended Sebastian Stan for giving “his best acting performance so far,” and applauded the movie’s visuals for effectively portraying the ’80s era.

Katie Walsh commented: “Some viewers might wish ‘The Apprentice’ went even deeper. It does give insight into Trump’s character. However, it also clearly shows how an individual can transform into a villain with the right traits, upbringing, and mentoring. What additional messages could it potentially convey?

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the rave reviews The Apprentice has been receiving – particularly the exceptional portrayal of Roy Cohn by Jeremy Strong. He truly stole the show and earned the title of the ‘standout performer’ in my book.

Reviewer Chris Bumbray praises Abbasi for delivering an action-packed experience, resulting in a concise yet impactful two-hour film that keeps audiences engaged throughout, regardless of their political leanings.

According to The Washington Post, the film received a relatively unfavorable critique, earning just 2.5 stars from a possible five, primarily due to the perception that the movie lacked a clear perspective on its central figure.

‘Donald Trump may have no concealed inner self. He appears exactly as he is. Since the film’s sole narrative revolves around the man transforming into the monster (or savior for some) that many believed he would become, there’s no suspense or conflict to propel the story forward.’

In my perspective as a devoted observer, I firmly believe that for any true sense of tragedy to unfold, there must be at least a flicker of self-awareness. Interestingly, the film’s portrayal of Trump, much like my suspicion of the real person, seems to lack this deep curiosity about himself or anything beyond his own sphere.

The Apprentice FLOPS at box office despite Sebastian Stan's acclaimed performance as Donald Trump
The Apprentice FLOPS at box office despite Sebastian Stan's acclaimed performance as Donald Trump

This morning, Good Morning America offered a favorable critique for the movie, aligning with other reviews that commend the impressive acting.

Regardless of your stance on the political divide involving Donald Trump, it is undeniable that the characters Stan and Strong have delivered outstanding performances worthy of consideration for the Oscars, as they both shine brilliantly on screen.

In unison with others, The New Yorker commended the acting displays, yet expressed that several of the secondary characters seemed underdeveloped on-screen.

In simpler terms, Richard Brody’s review suggests that while the supporting actors deliver strong performances, they do not fully develop their characters because the direction by Abbasi is too focused on efficiency, leaving little opportunity for the actors to explore their roles deeply on-screen.

The film accumulates numerous dramatic events, yet it avoids exploring broader consequences or delving into the characters’ personal experiences.

After the Trump campaign declared their intent to file a lawsuit against the creators of The Apprentice, as they allege the portrayal in the show depicts the presidential candidate sexually assaulting his wife, Ivana.

It said it was riddled with long debunked lies and belonged in a ‘dumpster fire.’

As a die-hard admirer, let me share my thoughts on this film that delves into the heartrending tale of Trump’s marital demise with Ivana. In a chilling scene, it portrays an allegation where he is said to have violated his wife in a manner that leaves one questioning their relationship. The dialogue goes: “At one point, it insinuates me asking her if I had discovered her ‘g spot’.

In a divorce deposition in 1989 Ivana made an accusation of rape but rescinded this in 2015. She has since died. 

According to Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign’s communications director, we plan to take legal action to counter the clearly untrue claims being made by these supposed filmmakers.

‘This garbage is pure fiction which sensationalizes lies that have been long debunked.

Similar to the alleged Biden Trials, this is an attempt at election manipulation by influential figures in Hollywood, who anticipate that President Trump will regain the White House since none of their efforts seem effective against him.

“This ‘movie’ is nothing but malicious slander, unfit for public viewing, and not worthy enough to be shelved in the discount DVD section of a closing video store; it should be thrown away, perhaps even into a trash fire.

It’s been reported that there’s a disagreement between the movie’s creators and one of their major investors, Dan Snyder – a billionaire known for supporting Donald Trump and contributing financially to his election campaigns.

The Apprentice FLOPS at box office despite Sebastian Stan's acclaimed performance as Donald Trump
The Apprentice FLOPS at box office despite Sebastian Stan's acclaimed performance as Donald Trump

In Ivana Trump’s 1990 divorce testimony, she asserted that Donald Trump had forced intimate acts upon her. According to her account, he physically maneuvered her to the ground and yanked a substantial amount of her hair.

Trump refuted the claim, and later, Ivana Trump clarified that she hadn’t meant it literally, instead expressing a sense of violation.

In her 1993 declaration, she stated that there was an instance in 1989 where Donald Trump’s behavior towards her outside of their marriage was noticeably different compared to within it.

In speaking about the situation, I used the term “rape,” but I don’t mean it in a legal or criminal context. Instead, I wanted to express that I felt deeply violated as a woman.

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2024-10-14 04:07

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