Trump: An American Dream episode two review: The Gambler

This is Show Snob’s unmissable second episode review of the Netflix documentary, Trump: An American Dream. Donald is in Manhattan but making moves in AC.

Our introduction to this episode of Trump: An American Dream is: “Like many young men who had fathers that were successful – subconsciously or not – they wanted to prove that they could be bigger and better than Daddy.” – Via an interviewer of Trump circa 1979.

The Reagan Era

Change sweeps America; Ronald Regan was a business orientated, capitalist President as we take in the beginning of this studious presentation’s episode two. Monetary flow again came from bank loans; risky endeavors are abundant. Trump is in Manhattan and making a name for himself in the media and the highest echelons of commerce, in this highly engrossing but justifiably time-consuming feature.

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Atlantic City Gamble

Another journalist, who knew the 45th President at the time said he found the man personable and didn’t have a problem with Trump – back then. Comparisons to virility and economic strength throughout are paralleled with the building boom. Trump’s aspiration is to marry these factors with his own image of grandeur and opulence.

Against his father’s wishes, Donald joins the volatile gaming industry in New Jersey state. This doc is crying out for more Fred, horrid as he appears! In one year in the early 80s, the Trump brand opened two Atlantic City casinos. Another reporter who met Mr. President in those days, attempted to reveal his ignorance in an intriguing manner; succeeding in exposing 45’s con man persona.

Entrepreneurial decadence overtakes Trump’s world. Women, on the whole, seem to love, admire and be completely obsessed with him, in a famous person infatuation way. Only a self-indulgent, self-promoting book could now emerge; whilst debts pile and father bails him out.

The Art of the Deal

Another observer accurately offers his opinion that Trump is a sociopath with a binary functioning: predator or prey. Which was inherited from his successful yet aloof dad, “be a killer”, Fred would instruct his intrinsically competitive children. Yet Donald is different to dad, courting popularity and celebrity; eventually becoming one in his own right.

However, all this helps the book, Art of the Deal become a best-seller and launch the then businessman’s ego beyond the stratosphere; somewhere around where we find it today. At that time kids profess Trump as their hero in 80s flashbacks, which now feels more unnerving.

As the casino venture turns sour, very sour, all the vital and interesting news footage from the time is reexamined in this informative, thorough documentary. Yet it lacks charisma throughout. An explanation for ‘too big to fail’ is also a much-needed clarification for the viewer at this point, but not offered.

American Psycho

Patrick Bateman from the movie American Psycho and Donald Trump have things in common: here he is accused of stepping out at night when without his wife, presumably looking for other women. Maybe Trump’s limousine drivers had to be unscrupulous too, like the fictional character Patrick’s chauffeur.

For further resemblance, this quote could be from either the character or the very real person:

"“A level of importance turns me on.”– Donald TrumpVia: Trump: An American Dream"

The Writer of the novel which inspired American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis, actually informed The Sydney Morning Herald  of ‘how Trump is Patrick Bateman’s father figure’.

Having now seen Trump: An American Dream along with American Psycho, I’d say the fictionalised paternity is accurate. Of course, Trump doesn’t murder like Patrick but the many narcissistic similarities are abundant.

Unsurprisingly this doc contains accusations of its subject having a basic lack of compassion; while seeking sympathy and air time from personal tragedy. We are given comprehension and understanding of the world’s most powerful man in this feature – regardless of my Bateman parallel.

A man who fed Trump’s ego and enabled his statesman-like thinking is Republican Activist Mike Dunbar. He’s the guy who initially invited the real estate tycoon to speak at a right-wing political convention. While the prospective politician denies to the politicos that he desires the presidency back in the late 80s, the seed is planted.

Divorce

Trump’s then industrious wife Ivana was competitive and intuitive with hierarchy and staff; proving herself a fine businesswoman in the meantime. This component provides quite a fascinating insight. In fact, even the two hotels they owned competed with each other. Inherent competition.

To keep his mistress separate from his wife, Trump goes to astonishingly watchable lengths: buying the Plaza and housing Ivana there as its ‘developer’. This really has to be seen to be believed; as loyalists and detractors – though all knew or know him – give analysis on the times. Was Donald jealous of his wife’s triumph in realty?

Trump: An American Dream receives a four-out-of-five star rating from Show Snob – maintaining Netflix’s almost impervious record of ‘must-watch’ productions. If it were more condensed it would garner maximum points. Whilst the subject matter being not that gripping is, in this case, not the fault of Netflix – the piece remains scary. Onto episode three.

What did you think of this episode? – Tell us in the comments section below.