The Apprentice is driven by a friendship that facilitates its protagonist's arc. It addresses themes of classism, bigotry, power, and ego. However, it's limited by simple characters who reflexively ignore their hollowness. While it considers contributing factors (like family drama), it never embraces a decisive origin. This may be honest, but it's unsatisfying storytelling. Still, the script boils this corrupt mogul persona down to three core values: "attack, deny, and claim victory." Meanwhile, the precise acting delivers mannerisms, internal intensity, outbursts, mania, and gradual growth. Thus, The Apprentice isn't thoroughly deep, yet it calls attention to systemic issues.
Technically, The Apprentice mitigates its weak relatability. Handhelds, film gauges, and practical lighting define the imagery, though its framing lacks variety. The production design establishes personalized locations and wealth through the decades. A couple moments of subjectivity punctuate the realistic soundscape. Its music offers fitting needle drops and a trans-diegetic choir, but its scoring is forgettable. Despite archive footage, montages, and comedic pacing, the editing's momentum is merely adequate. Its cast has solid fame and good fit. The effects provide subtly evolving aging makeup. Avoiding being a missed opportunity or unnecessary, The Apprentice is proficient.
Writing: 7/10
Direction: 7/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Acting: 9/10
Editing: 7/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10
Production Design: 8/10
Casting: 7/10
Effects: 7/10
Overall Score: 7.4/10
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