Internships are all the rage in the modern job market: a means for a leg up, to gain experience, and, for many young people, a path towards a future career. But what happens when a retiree desires an internship — what even happens? Nancy Meyers' new film is what.
The Intern follows Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro), a retired widower looking to fill the void in his life. His solution: joining a senior citizen intern program at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway), where he not only finds fulfilment but also imparts old school ways on the younger generation.
The Intern fits comfortably with Meyers' filmography, being a friendly, light comedy with everyday drama. Like her other work, it plays it safe on every level, which is a double-edged sword. The positive is that the characters are likeable and the comedy inoffensive; the negative is that it's predictable, with a dull Hollywood ending.
Meyers always attracts talent, though her films are often a place for actors to coast. De Niro could play this role in his sleep. He's decent but feels wasted. Hathaway works well too, but feels beyond this. However, the young co-workers keep the comedy running.
The Intern is quaint, and overall does provide an interesting generational contrast, yet ultimately it is forgettable.
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