This week’s film choice was The Intern from director Nancy Meyers (who has previously brought us big hits such as The Holiday; What Women Want and It’s Complicated)
If we are completely honest, we weren’t sure what to expect, this was a Mrs. BMAF choice after all, but it is well worth seeking out as not only does it give some great laughs but also deals with age-old issues of Sexism and Ageism too.
The film centres around 70-year-old Widower, Ben (Robert DeNiro) who feels he can do more with his life than retirement is offering him. An opportunity he finds, gives him the chance to enter a senior intern program at a fashion start up run by its founder, entrepreneur Jules (Anne Hathaway)
Despite being told that a senior intern program can greatly benefit a company, Jules is dubious and when she is assigned Ben, she does everything she can to avoid him at first.
Ben is patient, and quickly becomes a mentor/father figure to some of the younger members of staff, as well as starting a relationship with the in house massage therapist, Fiona (Rene Russo)
Ben even sorts out a large mess of products that has clearly been bothering Jules for sometime. On one occasion, Ben looking out of the window, notices Jules driver has been drinking. He quickly steps in to drive her, which she accepts, now that he is in her good books so to speak.
During the day, Ben saves her time by knowing the streets of Brooklyn, getting her to her destination sooner, which gives her much needed extra time. At the end of the day, he even meets her husband, Matt (Anders Holm) who has made the decision to support Jules, by staying at home to bring up their daughter Paige (JoJo Kushner)
We have learned that Jules works some incredibly long hours and has a hands-on approach to everything in her business, which has grown rapidly, so much so it has been suggested a CEO is brought in to work with her and make things easier, as well as take this fast going company to the next level.
As the film grows, Jules and Ben become inseparable, both giving each other purpose, getting to the stage where his desk is moved to be nearer her, to also help her PA, Becky (Christina Sherer)
Upon stepping in,to take Paige to a party, when Matt is ill, Ben discovers that Jules concerns about her marriage are with some good cause. Jules and Ben’s growing relationship is great to watch, very much like a father/daughter or mentor and mentee, don’t panic, never ever any sign of a romantic relationship between the Two
Jules and Ben’s growing relationship is great to watch, very much like a father/daughter or mentor and mentee, don’t panic, never ever any sign of a romantic relationship between the Two.
Ben gives some much-needed advice about what she should do about the CEO situation, even if they maybe do not agree on Ben’s stance on the state of her relationship with Owen, and what she decides she needs to do.
The film also features some great comedy moments involved Ben and Fiona, as well as a fun sequence when he has to break into Jules Mother’s home to delete a wrongly forwarded email taking some of the younger members of staff to help him with this heist!
I did feel that the Owen/Jules relationship problems were perhaps not needed, it certainly appeared to me to bring the film down a bit in the second half for me, removing it would have given this a much more pleasing run time than the 2 hours it has.
However these are minor issues, the film for us remains a great watch, De Niro so famous for menacing roles in the likes of Casino; Cape Fear and Goodfellas is superb in the role of the retired worker and Hathaway makes a very believable online entrepreneur too!
The whole film is well cast and as well as being entertaining tackles some important messages, from everything to ageism and sexism to work/life balance so is a credit to writer/director Nancy Meyers.
You can buy the Intern from Amazon here
Have you watched The Intern? Did you enjoy it? We would love to hear from you here at Barking Mad About Films
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