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70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway).
“The Intern” gives us a story that constantly feels like we are being wrapped up in a warm blanket. As in most of her movies, Nancy Meyers gives us very little conflict and beautifully dressed sets. Any conflict is resolved a bit too neatly and easily. It’s hard to feel any tension or see any real problems in Jules’ life. She works long hours, but has an incredibly successful company, lavish home, adorable little girl and stay-at-home husband. Even the marital conflict part of the storyline is resolved with ease and grace.
On the flip side of that sentiment, who doesn’t like a warm blanket? It’s absolutely endearing to see the relationship between Ben and Jules develop. De Niro and Hathaway capture the audience from the moment the movie starts. What’s most impressive about “The Intern” is how much it does with its premise and just as importantly what it doesn’t do with it. The notion of a seventy-year-old, retired widower re-entering the workforce has the potential for cheap jokes and lots of easy generation-gap shots. But it never actually goes there.
There are so many ways the film could have descended into farce, so many ways it could have descended into cheap theatrics or punchy one liner gags. But time and time again it goes to the brink only to pull itself back with level-headed humanity and insightful empathy. At its core, “The Intern” is a character piece about an unexpected relationship. It works because of the well-oiled script and natural acting that is a refreshing surprise in today’s theatre offerings.
As Jules struggles with the demands of running her online fashion business, Ben quietly steps in with over 50 years of business, marketing and sales experience to be her Jiminy Cricket. It doesn’t hurt that Ben also brings with him all the love and care of a perfect grandfather. Anyone who has ever had a doting grandfather in their lives will absolutely melt when Ben has homemade chicken soup waiting for Jules after a hectic and nerve-wracking meeting.
A bit of a side note here: I was very lucky to have had a grandfather like that.
I hate sobbing in movie theatres…I’m a very loud crybaby when I get going! De Niro had me on the verge of a complete meltdown with his charm and care. So either make sure you have plenty of tissues, lots of popcorn to stuff in your mouth, or like me, a quick and handy crochet/knitting project to whip out and distract you from the water works that will surely spill over!
Not only the main characters, but supporting characters as well, are all given such intense detail and structure that watching “The Intern” was a joy and completely engaging. Although many will tout that the story is unbelievable, and the world it’s set in is one of elitism and privilege, I’m OK with that. Every once in a while it’s nice to see a story take place in a beautiful world of hard working, intelligent, educated lucky people.
In the film’s opening voiceover we hear Ben say, “Love and work. Work and Love. That’s all there is.” Sounds very simplistic, but “The Intern” shows us just how enormously complicated and involving these two things are in our lives.
In theaters September 25th
