I think movies released recently have a different vibe from the older ones. I've watched a couple of comedy dramas but stopped halfway through because they didn't make sense and became frustrating. Movies that feel relatable and genuinely speak to the soul seem to be fewer these days so sometimes I enjoy going back to rewatch older ones. One of such movies is The Intern (2015).
It's a warm, funny and thoughtful movie that is easy to settle into. On the surface, it is a workplace comedy about an elderly man becoming an intern at a fashion company but under that simple plot is a story that focuses on friendship, ageing, family, ambition and the pressure of trying to hold every part of your life together. Even more, the lead casts are actors I love to see on my screen.
Written and directed by Nancy Myers, The Intern is an American comedy drama starring Anne Hathaway, Robert De Niro, Rene Russo and other supporting actors. The film follows a retired widower, Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro), who has reached a point where his retirement activities no longer fill the empty spaces in his life. So when a senior internship program opens at About The Fit, an online fashion company, he decides to apply.
The company is run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway), an ambitious entrepreneur who built her business from the ground up. She is young, driven, intelligent and constantly moving. Ben is assigned as her intern and she wonders what she's supposed to do with a 70 year old assistant who seems more comfortable in his suit than in the company's casual dress code culture.
Meanwhile Ben arrives everyday looking polished and carrying himself with the manners and discipline of another era. In no time, he becomes friendly with other staff in the company. When he realises ways in which things weren't going right for Jules, he steps in to gradually help her. She notices and begins to delegate more work to him.
Still, Jules’ life seems to be falling apart when her company investors request that she hires another person to take her place as CEO. She's torn between paying attention to her personal life and family, and keeping her company together. Ben becomes a shoulder she leans on but can he help her resolve these situations?
My Review And Rating
Much as I enjoy brilliant plots that touch on complex subjects, I also appreciate simple stories with strong messages behind them. The storytelling and acting makes this movie worth watching. I like that it focuses mostly on second chances, that is, it's never too late to start or pursue a career or ambition.
When I first saw Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro together on the poster of this movie, I thought what an unlikely pairing but after watching, their acting and connection were seamless. Robert De Niro plays Ben with such endearing calmness that his character becomes one of the movie's strongest qualities. He is funny without trying too hard. Anne Hathaway also gives Jules enough energy and vulnerability to stop her from becoming the stereotypical demanding boss.
I love how the relationship of Ben and Jules develops into the heart of the film. Director Nancy Myers doesn't treat friendship as something that belongs only to people of the same age. These characters easily blend and neither tries to become someone they are not. Ben doesn't force Jules to slow down and she doesn't try to turn him into a younger version of himself.
Also, the contrast between the two characters is visible. Ben is older, experienced but he needs a purpose and looks for it while Jules' life appears successful from the outside but she's constantly carrying the weight of expectations. The supporting cast also adds plenty of humour and life to the office environment.
I love that this movie is not built around major surprises but moves at a relaxed pace, allowing the characters and their relationships to take center stage. Some viewers find the plot predictable and uninteresting but it isn't so for me. This movie is pleasant and funny without depending on constant jokes, emotional and thoughtful without becoming overwhelming.
Rating this movie, I'd give it 8.5 out of 10 stars. It's a pleasant comedy drama with a big heart that celebrates ambition and new beginnings at any age. You'll feel lighter after watching it.
All images above are screenshots from the movie
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Rating: 85/100
