Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The Movie

Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The Movie
Donald Trump has it all. Money, power, respect, and an Eastern European bride. But all his success didn't come for nothing. First, he inherited millions of dollars from his rich father, then he grabbed New York City by the balls. Now you can learn the art of negotiation, real estate, and high-quality brass in this illuminating made-for-TV special feature, Funny Or Die Presents Donald Trump's The Art Of The Deal: The Movie.
Manuel Frangis reviewedMarch 17, 2025
I just watched Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The Movie and I would give it 2 out of 5 stars. This parody had potential, but it ultimately feels more like an extended sketch than a fully developed movie. While the concept is interesting, and there are moments that land well, the overall execution leaves a lot to be desired.
Johnny Depp plays Donald Trump, and his performance is easily the best part of the film. He completely transforms into the character, capturing the mannerisms and voice perfectly. His commitment to the role is impressive, and it is fun to see him play such an exaggerated version of Trump. However, even Depp's talent is not enough to carry the entire movie, especially when the jokes start to feel repetitive.
The humor is hit or miss. Some jokes are clever and well timed, but many feel forced or stretched out for too long. The film tries to maintain the style of an over the top 1980s made for TV special, but it often feels more like a gimmick than a fully fleshed out parody. The supporting cast is solid, with a few recognizable faces making appearances, but none of them have enough material to really stand out.
One of the biggest issues with the movie is that it does not have much of a story. It plays out like a collection of exaggerated Trump moments rather than a structured narrative. While this might work in short form comedy, it struggles to stay engaging over its fifty minute runtime. The pacing drags in several places, and by the end, it feels like it is running out of ideas.
Despite its flaws, there are still some enjoyable moments. The satirical elements work best when they focus on the absurdity of Trump's personality rather than just making obvious jokes about his wealth and ego. The faux 1980s aesthetic is well done, and there are some funny nods to classic TV specials from that era. However, the humor does not always land, and at times, it feels like the movie is trying too hard to be funny instead of letting the satire speak for itself.
Even though it is meant to be a parody, the film does not push its satire far enough to make a lasting impact. It has its moments, but it never quite reaches the level of sharp, biting humor that great political satire is known for. Instead, it often settles for easy jokes that do not dig deep enough into its subject matter.
The biggest takeaway from the movie is Johnny Depp’s dedication to the role. He is almost unrecognizable, and his performance alone makes the film at least somewhat interesting to watch. But beyond that, there is not much to keep audiences engaged. The humor wears thin, the structure feels loose, and the overall experience is forgettable.
While *Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal: The Movie* might be worth a watch for die hard political satire fans or those who enjoy Depp’s performances, it does not do enough to stand out as a must see comedy. It is a parody that could have been much sharper and funnier, but instead, it feels like an extended sketch that struggles to maintain momentum.
There are plenty of great political comedies that deliver sharper satire and better writing. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. It is not the worst parody ever made, but it is not particularly memorable either. By the time the credits roll, it feels like a missed opportunity. Not something I would rewatch, but at least it is an interesting experiment.