A Comedy Worth Hiring ‘THE INTERN”

Release Date: September 25, 2015

Running Time: 2 hours and 1 minute

Genre: Comedy

Rated PG-13 for some suggestive content and brief strong language

Written and Directed by Nancy Meyers

Grade: A–

Starring:

Robert De Niro as Ben Whittaker

Anne Hathaway as Jules Ostin

Rene Russo as Fiona

Anders Holm as Matt

Andrew Rannells as Paige

Adam DeVine as Jason

Celia Weston as Doris

Nat Wolff as Justin

Linda Lavin as Patty

Zack Pearlman as Davis

Experience Never Gets Old

Academy Award® winners Robert De Niro (Raging Bull, Silver Linings Playbook) and Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables, The Devil Wears Prada) star together in Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Intern. Oscar®-nominated and award-winning filmmaker Nancy Meyers (It’s Complicated, Something’s Gotta Give, Private Benjamin) is directing the comedy from her own screenplay. In The Intern, De Niro stars as Ben Whittaker, a 70-year-old widower who has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. He fills the void by getting up at the same time, handing out in the local coffee shop, volunteering and taking tai chi, but something is still missing.  He notices a flyer for senior interns, but it says he must submit a video cover letter.   Ben gets dressed in a suit and sets up his video camera and gives a great pitch.  He ends up getting the internship at About the Fit and is assigned to the CEO and founder Jules Ostin.    At first she just ignores Ben, hoping he will go away and she can continue as the prickly boss who does not acknowledge hard work and expects her assistant to work until late at night.  She is known for riding a bike in the office, skipping meals and being driven around in an Audi Q7.  While Jules pretends Ben is not there, he befriends his younger co-workers and becomes the go to person for advice.

You didn’t Talk to Her?  What did you do?  Send her a tweet?

The audience that screened this film seemed to love it.  They were engaged and laughed at appropriate times throughout the film.   Although it is listed as a comedy, I thought it was more of a dramedy.  I really enjoyed The Intern and plan to take my mother to see it.  I think it is a wonderful film for adults of all ages and mature teens.  This was a great role for Hathaway.  Coming off her Oscar winning performance in Les Miserables, she gives this role just the right amount of confidence and weakness. I also loved Robert DeNiro’s performance as Ben. His versatility really shines.  DeNiro was charming and shy with just the right amount of vulnerability.   He and Hathaway had fantastic on-screen chemistry and the supporting cast totally complimented the leads.  Meyer’s warm, smart and funny comedy delivers a message that everyone, no matter how young or old, has something of value to contribute.  It makes you think twice about the common trends in the workplace.   So grab your parent, grandparent, children or family and make plans to see this charming and likeable film. ~A.S. MacLeod