TV review: Trump Unauthorized
May 23, 2005 (Reuters) You might think it odd that ABC, rather than NBC, home of "The Apprentice," ordered a movie about that show's host, Donald Trump. But then, if you saw how Trump is depicted -- a publicity-chasing egomaniac and braggart who dives through tax loopholes the way a trained dolphin jumps through hoops -- it's clear why this film would have little appeal to NBC...
...As for why it holds little appeal for the rest of us, chalk it up to a slapdash style of storytelling that fails adequately to probe its unsympathetic subject.
People might not love The Donald, but they love to watch him. His outsize personality, ostentatious style and ability to make his failures sound like successes are legendary. Who but Trump could be lionized as a genius real estate developer even as his casinos fall into bankruptcy? Think of it: When was the last time anyone lost money on a casino, much less a real estate shark?
The characteristics with which Trump cultivated his celebrity persona are difficult to dramatize without turning the character into a silly parody of himself. Justin Louis, who stars as Trump, either can exaggerate traits that already are exaggerations or rein them in, making the movie Trump a pale version of the real one, which is mostly what happens here.
The film, based on biographies by Gwenda Blair and other sources, hits all the highlights and lowlights, including Trump's real estate triumphs and failures and his first two marriages. Ivana, played by Katheryn Winnick, might be the most interesting character in the movie. In any case, she steals nearly every scene.
Saul Rubinek, a fine actor cast here as former Trump partner Peter Wennik, plays a character that, we are told, has all of New York on a string. That makes it particularly odd when in practically every scene he is only an incredulous lapdog to ambitious Trump.
No big secrets are spilled here but attention is paid to Trump's father, a successful developer who paved the way for his "self-made" son and his two brothers, neither of whom were temperamentally suited to keep pace with their fast-talking sibling. For the most part, Trump isn't particularly concerned. This indifference to personal problems is yet another reason this movie holds so little appeal. If Trump doesn't much care, why should we?
Copies of the film sent to reviewers lacked considerable postproduction work, making it hard to assess technical aspects. Still, it's hard to imagine that color correction and other changes will improve the film's limited vision or camouflage its bald attempt to parlay the Trump name into some hasty sweep ratings.
Cast: Donald Trump: Justin Louis; Ivana Trump: Katheryn Winnick; Fred Trump Sr.: Ron McLarty; Peter Wennik: Saul Rubinek; Marla Maples: Jennifer Baxter; Fred Trump Jr.: Chris Potter; Mayor Ed Koch: Richard Portnow; Robert Trump: David Lipper.
Executive producers: Barbara Lieberman, Daniel Lux, Vin Di Bona; Supervising producer: Philip Kleinbart; Producers: Mark Winemaker, Jorg Westerkamp, Thomas Becker, Michael Hagemeyer; Director: John David Coles; Teleplay: Keith Curran; Director of photography: Walt Lloyd; Production designer: Taavo Soodor; Editor: Ralph Brunjes; Music: Anton Sanko; Set decorator: Erica Milo; Casting: Stacey Rosen.
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