The Intern (2015)
The Intern was written and directed by Nancy Meyers, the woman who brought us hits such as The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give, and It’s Complicated. I saw the trailer for this film a while ago and have been looking forward to seeing it ever since. Before I was due to see it I read a review that claimed the only funny parts were in the trailer so I went in dreading that it wasn’t going to be that good. Luckily, they were wrong, there were plenty more funny moments than just what’s shown in the trailer, and it’s a very nice film.
So the story follows Ben (Robert De Niro) a widower who is newly retired, who is starting to find life without work and his wife very lonely. After a chance sighting of a flyer advertising a senior citizen internship programme leads Ben to apply – and get – a position, it gives Ben a purpose and a reason to get up everyday. The intern position is to be a PA to Jules (Anne Hathaway) the founder of the company – an online fashion site. Jules isn’t the easiest person to work for as she is struggling to keep hold of her company, something which she started 18 months ago and has since gone beyond her expectations. Jules is put under pressure to pick out a CEO to help manage the company, something which she really doesn’t want to do.
At first Ben struggles to fit into this younger working generation but he soon forms bonds between everyone as his older experience and wisdom make him a fountain of knowledge to the others from dating tips to fashion (e.g. Men must always carry a handkerchief in case a lady ever needs one). His way of life is very old school and is something that is missing from our generation, it soon becomes clear that the guys in the film look up to Ben and a brilliant friendship group arises between Ben, Jason (Adam DeVine), Davis (Zach Pearlman) and Lewis (Jason Orley). These four give us some of the funniest scenes in the film, particularly when they go on a secret mission for Jules..!
At the start of the film Jules is shown as being a little overwhelmed by how big her company has become, she is struggling to keep up with all the demands asked of her as she is pulled from one direction to the next. She works long days, often continuing at home, whilst trying to keep a good relationship with her little girl and her husband, Matt. Jules is very much the one in control in her marriage, Matt gave up his career in order to be a house husband and raise their daughter so that Jules could concentrate on her business. This is something that the other mum’s at school don’t understand and there is one scene that shows Jules having to put up with their bitchy comments regarding her choices in life. She quite rightly later rants about it being 2015 and the stigma surrounding working mothers shouldn’t be a thing any more. As the film progresses Jules and Ben start to form a close bond and Jules starts to relax more as Ben brings back her love and confidence towards her job. This connection between the two is particularly important when Jules’ marriage hits a rocky patch.
There are moments of laughter and moments which are emotional, but every character is brilliantly acted and you see a lot of different perspectives, giving you a wider picture. The storyline between Jules and Ben gets quite deep but it is balanced out by the funny scenes involving Ben and the other guys. Overall, this film is a lovely watch and will suit people of all ages as De Niro’s character will connect to the older generation and Anne’s the younger. This is definitely a film I could watch over and over again.
