"There's a hole in my life and I need to fill it. Soon." Widowed for three and a half years, retired 70-year-old businessman Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) is looking for a new challenge and purpose in life. His opening voiceover in "The Intern," spelling out his feelings in a trite, on-the-nose manner, does not bode well for writer-director Nancy Meyers' (2009's "It's Complicated") screenplay. Fortunately, Ben's unnecessary narration is tossed aside soon after as the writing finds its footing and the story reveals itself to be about far more complicated and interesting adult subjects than the standard romance it could have become. Brightened by Robert De Niro (2012's "Silver Linings Playbook") and Anne Hathaway's (2014's "Interstellar") surprisingly perfect pairing, "The Intern" is a poignant, character-based comedy about professional passion, the struggle to retain a healthy work-life balance, and how the unlikeliest of friendships can sometimes become the most meaningful.
Having grown up in an era far removed from the technology-obsessed 21st century, Ben Whittaker is trying his hardest to keep up with the times. When he answers a flyer advertising a 65-and-over senior internship at booming Brooklyn-based online fashion retailer About the Fit, he is pleased to be chosen for the temporary position. Paired with workaholic company founder Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway)—a guarded Type-A personality begrudgingly participating in office manager Cameron's (Andrew Rannells) outreach program—Ben aims to break down his boss' defenses by proving his age and background are assets rather than detriments. Jules has a lot on her plate, juggling family life with stay-at-home husband Matt (Anders Holm) and young daughter Paige (JoJo Kushner) while dealing with pressures to hire a CEO for the business, but it is her burgeoning working relationship and growing friendship with Ben that might be key in helping her to figure out exactly what she wants for her future.
See Dustin Putman, TheFilmFile.com. for full review
