Nancy Meyers was able to repeat her writer-director combo success once again in her newest film, “The Intern.”
The film, which stars Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway, made $17,728,313 its opening weekend.
This heartwarming story of a man bored in his retirement seeking out purpose paints a picture of generational schism, relationships gone wrong and the possibility for empathy and love in a generation known to be detached from the “real world.”
Seventy-year-old widower Ben, played by De Niro, finds himself hopelessly bored. As he goes through his routine, he sees a flier for a senior internship program and decides to apply.
Being more than qualified, he gets the job and finds himself thrown into a world much different from the one he knew. With gadgets and gizmos and an oddity named Facebook, he must traverse this deadly circus the only way he knows how— his wit and “classic” charm.
Soon, he is well on his way to becoming Mr. Popular. He is assigned to work under the company’s CEO, Jules, played by Hathaway. He quickly assumes a fatherly role, essentially becoming part of the family.
He helps Jules make her way through life, getting himself into a few shenanigans along the way. Like any good comedy, leaving the theater in any state less than happy would be a crime.
“The Intern” was an easy movie to watch with some extremely funny moments – a hallmark for Meyers’ writing.
The film was shot well and shadowed the look and feel of one of Hathaway’s past roles on the set of “The Devil Wears Prada,” where she co-starred with another aging great, Meryl Streep.
Having two heavy-hitting actors such as Hathaway and De Niro proved to be a wise choice in casting. They played off each other well, and the connection the two formed throughout the movie was believable.
Meyers’ writing proved to be strong in how subtly themes are laid down into the film so as to not be too offensive.
In “The Intern,” you can see the connection Meyers tries to draw in her looks at the cultural shifts we experience from generation to generation.
Her writing seems to call for a return to the ways of old (chivalry, suits and handkerchiefs), while maintaining the current advances with feminism and women in the workplace. This underlying feminist theme unfortunately comes off a little heavy-handedly.
Instead of being witty and subtle as she has been in her previous films, such as “The Holiday” and “It’s Complicated,” Meyers lets this massive parcel thud onto the table that is the screen.
While the writing is good and the actors give each of the characters’ lives, I couldn’t help but be distracted by the repeated shoving into my face of all she wanted me to see.
Don’t get me wrong: The acting is superb, the plot is strong and fresh and the writing is funny while playing to the cast’s strengths.
Had Meyers been a little defter in her approach at philosophy and sociology, she would have made a complete package of a film.
It is completely worth a watch and the money out of your pocket. It is a great film to watch if you are looking for a heartwarming, funny and fresh take on the age-old romantic comedy.
“The Intern” is currently playing at Cinemark Theaters in Conway and is rated PG-13 for some suggestive content and brief strong language.
image via mic.com
