The Apprentice

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MikoTython
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The Apprentice

Post by MikoTython »

This was a very solid take on the bromance between mentor Roy Cohn & mentee Donny the T. Two definitely titanic American originals cutting a wide swath over da lan'. I'm no fan, but the film did credit Trump's visionary work in Manhatten, when the place was still underwater, Cohn's critical role enabling its inception.

I can see why both actors (Sebastian Stan as Donny boy, Strong as Roy, ) are nominated. A hagiography it wasn't.

Between them, I find Cohn the more exotic, fascinating, sui generis of the two. Something Trump certainly osmosed from Cohn - a willed reality.
GelatinousEndive
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Re: The Apprentice

Post by GelatinousEndive »

MikoTython wrote: 25 Jan 2025 12:49 pm This was a very solid take on the bromance between mentor Roy Cohn & mentee Donny the T. Two definitely titanic American originals cutting a wide swath over da lan'. I'm no fan, but the film did credit Trump's visionary work in Manhatten, when the place was still underwater, Cohn's critical role enabling its inception.

I can see why both actors (Sebastian Stan as Donny boy, Strong as Roy, ) are nominated. A hagiography it wasn't.

Between them, I find Cohn the more exotic, fascinating, sui generis of the two. Something Trump certainly osmosed from Cohn - a willed reality.
I am looking forward to seeing this, I stan Jeremy Strong.
MikoTython
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Re: The Apprentice

Post by MikoTython »

GelatinousEndive wrote: 28 Jan 2025 15:05 pm
MikoTython wrote: 25 Jan 2025 12:49 pm This was a very solid take on the bromance between mentor Roy Cohn & mentee Donny the T. Two definitely titanic American originals cutting a wide swath over da lan'. I'm no fan, but the film did credit Trump's visionary work in Manhatten, when the place was still underwater, Cohn's critical role enabling its inception.

I can see why both actors (Sebastian Stan as Donny boy, Strong as Roy, ) are nominated. A hagiography it wasn't.

Between them, I find Cohn the more exotic, fascinating, sui generis of the two. Something Trump certainly osmosed from Cohn - a willed reality.
I am looking forward to seeing this, I stan Jeremy Strong.
Spoiler
It has now been established that Roy was a bottom. :D
GelatinousEndive
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Re: The Apprentice

Post by GelatinousEndive »

I watched it last night. Decent film, nothing great.
Pink Freud
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Re: The Apprentice

Post by Pink Freud »

GelatinousEndive wrote: 29 Jan 2025 08:37 am I watched it last night. Decent film, nothing great.
Agree; I'm surprised it received the honors it did, though Strong was really good as the predatory Roy Cohn.

I'm surprised the filmmaker didn't include the real-life incident of donny boy calling the NYC tabloids as "John Barron", announcing the amazing dating exploits of his "boss" DJT. I'm really glad they didn't include the dating exploits of Roy Cohn.
edwin drood
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Re: The Apprentice

Post by edwin drood »

Oh darn! I've got to sort my sock drawer or I'd go tonight...
MikoTython
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Re: The Apprentice

Post by MikoTython »

You don't have to like these dudes to be fascinated by them, particularly the almost biological replication of Roy Cohn into the psyche of little Donny. It's not like they 'haven't mattered', just on the history - still unveiling. You could view it, maybe, as the origin story for the IRL Joker, all you DC/MCU fans.

Two interesting reveals :
Spoiler
Donny had, during the 80s, lipo-suction & a scalp reduction (to remove his male pattern baldness). Its, for him, the equivalent of getting fake teats. Donny's all about the teats. And blondes. Just like his diet, its banal & monotone.
Ronnie Dobbs
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Re: The Apprentice

Post by Ronnie Dobbs »

I finally got over the Trump overload of basically everything and watched it the other night. I thought the film itself was good, but Strong and Stan were both pretty amazing.

When it might have been easy to do a simple, corny impression, like in a lot of these biopics tend to do, Stan really seemed to nail everything about Trump that makes him Trump. And as Trump got less and less subtle through the years, and closer to what most of us now recognize, Stan's performance changes with it. I thought he was great.

And is Roger Stone gay? I never heard that. Or are they just saying he's willing to play the role of Cohn party boy because it keeps him closer to power?
MikoTython
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Re: The Apprentice

Post by MikoTython »

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: 18 Feb 2025 11:40 am I finally got over the Trump overload of basically everything and watched it the other night. I thought the film itself was good, but Strong and Stan were both pretty amazing.

When it might have been easy to do a simple, corny impression, like in a lot of these biopics tend to do, Stan really seemed to nail everything about Trump that makes him Trump. And as Trump got less and less subtle through the years, and closer to what most of us now recognize, Stan's performance changes with it. I thought he was great.

And is Roger Stone gay? I never heard that. Or are they just saying he's willing to play the role of Cohn party boy because it keeps him closer to power?
You're right about Stan's performance arc. It was highly nuanced. Of the films I've seen, he gets my vote.
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