27 September 2023

The Intern

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Reviewed by Rama Gaind.

Writer/director: Nancy Meyers, Netflix.

Cast: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Anders Holm, Andrew Rannells, Adam DeVine, JoJo Kushner.

An evergreen, feel-good comedy, The Intern proves that you’re never too old to pursue your dreams, let alone live the dream.

Just such a scenario unfolds after 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (De Niro, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull) feels bored and lonely, realising that retirement is not meant for him. He seizes the opportunity to get back into the workforce.

Bereft of intricacy, Ben has traditional values intent on performing at his level best and takes on the job of a senior intern — at an online fashion site. He is multi-talented and soon becomes indispensable, taking on the role of assistant, chauffeur and general dogsbody to the boss.

Jules Ostin (Hathaway, The Devil Wears Prada, Ocean’s 8) runs a flourishing clothing business with a tight fist and forced smile from a Brooklyn warehouse, She sweeps through one meeting after another, swaying in one crisis after another, constantly displaying an expression of being ambiguously overcome.

Even at home the interaction between her husband (Holm) and talented daughter Paige (Kushner) is brief.

Whittaker is such a conscientious man that he has no problems becoming good friends with young office workers 50 years his junior, actually spreading a lot of wisdom.

Russo shines as the company masseuse and the centre of attention for Ben’s affections.

Trying to successfully negotiate life’s many hurdles has been a strong point with Meyers’ films. She’s also been able to extract agreeable performances from her cast from movies including Something’s Gotta Give, What Women Want, The Holiday and It’s Complicated.

Also co-produced by Meyers, The Intern (2015) has instant, heart-warming appeal with engaging themes: respect, no superficial judging of people on age, apt generational wisdom and learning ways to cultivate people’s talents. It’s all too nice!

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