The Intern (2015)

"I'm glad you also see the humor in this."
"It would be hard not to."

Ben Whittaker (DeNiro) is a retired widower.  He is bored with retirement and jumps at the chance to do something usual with his days.  He applies for a senior citizen internship program and is accepted at an online fashion site.  The company is About the Fit, and Ben is one of the four new interns.  The company was started a year ago by Jules Ostin (Hathaway), who has a hand in every aspect of the company.

Ben is assigned as Jules personal intern.  Jules doesn't think she needs any help, so Ben spends most of his time lending a hand wherever he is needed and quickly becomes well-known in the office.  He also replaces Jules regular driver, and meets her husband (Holm) and daughter (Kushner).  As Jules starts to let Ben into her life, can he find a way to help her balance her company and life?


The latest film by writer / director Nancy Meyers is a delight.  I initially wrote it off, but everyone I know saw and loved it, so I gave it a chance.

It is a funny film, with an incredibly likeable cast.  You love Robert DeNiro's Ben from the first moment you see him on screen, and continue to cheer his progression through the rest of the film.  He has excellent chemistry with Anne Hathaway.  Hathaway's Jules is a competent leader, a little frazzled, but still in control.  She is the modern woman, trying to have it all, and mostly succeeding.  Adam DeVine, Zach Pearlman and Jason Orley are Ben's work friends.  They are a fun group, and have a funny sequence where they go on a heist (complete with Ocean's 11 monikers) that is ridiculous and hilarious.  Anders Holm is Jules' husband and JoJo Kushner is their adorable daughter.  Rene Russo is the in-house masseuse, and Andrew Rannells is Jules second-in-command.

The story is funny, and heartbreaking, and keeps you guessing (while still delivering a happy ending).  A fun film worth checking out.

The Intern (2015) 121 minutes
Director: Nancy Meyers
Starring: Robert De Niro as Ben Whittaker
Anne Hathaway as Jules Ostin
Rene Russo as Fiona
Anders Holm as Matt
Andrew Rannells as Cameron
Adam DeVine as Jason
Zack Pearlman as Davis
Jason Orley as Lewis
JoJo Kushner as Paige