Movie Review: Intern (2015)

The story follows Ben Whitaker (Robert De Niro), a 70-year-old widower who stays active because retirement from the phone company wasn’t going good for him. One day, He notices a leaflet promoting senior citizen internships. Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway) runs a fast-paced fashion online retailing website. Jules is reluctantly compelled to have Ben as her assistant after a chaotic eighteen months for the married mother. Matt, her husband, resigned from his position to be a homemaker.

This is a friend-com rather than a rom-com. As the wonderful elderly fella with all the solutions and wisdom for the youth, De Niro is perhaps too perfect. The characters in this film seem a little too neat and tidy. Hathaway is a multi-tasking internet CEO who is driven. Although the characters are generic, the actors bring them to life. Some of the supporting characters enjoy a good time. Even if Nancy Meyers is attempting to imply something, the major revelation doesn’t really add any drama. It all comes together to make a terrific match between these two talented actors.

There’s never too late to learn

At first glance, the film seemed to show a comedy about an elderly man who returns to work and stumbles with modern technology and work practices. There are a few cases of this, but the film is much more than a narrative about generational divides. It seems more like a drama instead of a comedy, but it’s still good to watch. Themes include generational insight, not criticizing others based on their age (or whatever superficial), and optimizing people’s abilities. It’s also a film about making a fresh start and doing what you love.

This is a heartfelt but unsurprising performance and It’s nevertheless a pleasant two hours. Respectively De Niro and Hathaway deliver solid performances, and their connection intertwines so smooth throughout the film. It’s light, relatable, and just enjoyable.