We all know Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway from various motion pictures. Some of you, like me, might have grown up with De Niro’s films. Others might know him since the beginning of his career. Anne Hathaway on the other side is still a newbie compared to Robert. But a newbie with a very diverse background when it comes to played characters, and one with a lot of confidence in oneself. No wonder this film had big chances to become a popular one with these two put together.
“The Intern” presents the life of two very different people found at two very different stages of their lives. Ben (Robert De Niro) is a 70 year old pensioner who can’t seem to keep still and feels like he missing out on life. Jules (Anne Hathaway) is a strong young woman who managed to turn her start-up business into an overnight success. However, as it most often happens, success comes at a price and she is no exception to that rule, her life being more complicated than we might initially think.
The two of them meet through Jules’ business and even if they are faced with a rough start, their relationship evolved in more than a professional one. Ben and Jules end up supporting one another and creating an unique bond.
“It’s moments like this when you need someone you know you can count on because you’re my…”
“Intern.”
“I was going to say intern/best friend.”
The plot is quite a balanced one: we have a good background story based on which you can build different situations and Nancy Meyers didn’t hesitate there. We can also find a desire to succeed and references to the problems of a working mother which will probably make the viewer identify with the characters slightly faster. To this add a generous amount of funny moments. These amusing episodes will act as a breather and allow everyone to have moments of relaxation in order to be able to follow the development of the story.
The way of presenting the plot is important, but so are the people presenting it. And, from that point of view, Robert De Niro is inquisitive, but patient and portrays very well the changes that come from having a vast life experience. Yes, Ben is still a very active man, eager to do things and carry on with his life, but he’s also been through enough to know that good things come to those who wait and work towards their goals. Also, he is probably the one to blame for most of the funny moments.
Anne Hathaway as Jules portrays beautifully the working mother who is trying to balance everything going on in her life and to make everyone happy. She represents a tangible generation of our time. She’s a perfectionist and is willing to go the extra mile for the things she believe in. Hathaway offers us a clear image of the character’s struggles and manages to get quite effortlessly into Jules’ shoes.
Yes, the film lasts a bit but because of the way it uncovers you most probably won’t feel the time pass. “The Intern” is a deep but upbeat film that covers day to day lives in quite a grand way.
