Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong Could Be Oscar Contenders for ‘The Apprentice’
The Apprentice, the Donald Trump origin story that has been the topic of discussion in the film community and beyond, premiered in North America at the Telluride Film Festival’s Galaxy Theatre on Saturday night. The U.S. premiere comes after its debut at the Cannes Film Festival and just days after Briarcliff Entertainment acquired its distribution rights, with plans to release it in theaters on Oct. 11, shortly before the presidential election.
Interest in the film has been high, with Telluride’s screening attracting a full house of 500 people. Reactions to the film have been divided, but there is potential for it in the awards race, especially for lead actor Sebastian Stan and supporting actor Jeremy Strong.
The Apprentice was written by Vanity Fair’s Gabriel Sherman and directed by Ali Abbasi. It covers Trump’s early years and his relationship with Roy Cohn.
While Trump supporters expected a negative portrayal, the film presents a more complex view of the president. It is neither a puff piece nor a hit job, but an outsider’s perspective on American society.
Both Stan and Strong deliver impressive performances, capturing the essence of their characters. The film challenges viewers to appreciate the acting despite their feelings towards the characters.
The Apprentice has potential in the awards season, with a strong distributor and support from the talent involved. Just like it would be unwise to count out Trump, it would be unwise to count out The Apprentice.