SYNOPSIS: In “The Intern,” De Niro stars as Ben Whittaker, a 70-year-old widower who has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (Hathaway).

REVIEW:

Fiona: I'm Fiona, the house masseuse. Love that there's another oldie but goodie here... How's that, Ben?
Ben: Oh, hmm, oh boy
Davis: Here you go... You're not as old as I thought you were.

Aging is inevitable but growing old is avoidable. People say that your age is just a number and that you're really only as old as you feel, mentally and physically. So if you take care of yourself and are mentally and physically fit, you can be one of those people who are living proof that age is just a number. Take Ben Whittaker, a "young" 70 year old who still has so much to contribute to this world and he knows it. As he starts this new stage in his life, employment after retirement, and he's just being himself, the world around him gets to see him shine and realize just how valuable he still is. All I know is that I want to be like him when I grow up, in the not too distant future. It takes a little while for Jules, his boss, to see the glow, but this too is inevitable. The beauty of it is that Ben is just being Ben, a real diamond in the rough.

Writer/Director Nancy Meyers has a knack for portraying humanity on the big screen. I mean, she knows human drama. Various walks of life in real life situations that the viewer can relate to or at least understand. And she always does it in such a charming and enjoyable way that her work is a pleasure to watch. This film is another such piece that fits right in her body of work. In this case we are dealing with a older retired man looking to keep busy in the modern corporate world. Quite the challenge, and Ben is taking it on. Needless to say, we first have to battle the generation gap problem. It's old school versus modern techy as in Ben's flip phone versus everyone else's smart phone. He's not as fluent in digital world lingo, but he makes up for all that with his personal touch, go getter, never give up attitude, and his etiquette; qualities that are diminishing in today's world.

One of the best aspects of this film is the excellent casting job. Oh, and of course the excellent performances by said cast. Robert De Niro once again proves that he doesn't always have to be cast as an Italian mob boss, or at minimum some tough guy. Anne Hathaway is very believable in her role as Jules, the founder of the company that hires Ben. It almost seems like a random sequel to The Devil Wears Prada where Anne's character in that movie ultimately becomes the character in this one. Rene Russo is charming and stunning as always. A very special mention is Linda Lavin, yes Linda Lavin, who has a small role but extremely potent and funny. And another very special mention is the adorable JoJo Kushner in the role of Jules' daughter. I've always been a big fan of cuteness in films, Boo (Monsters Inc.), Agnes (Despicable Me), China Girl (Oz the Great and Powerful), Curly Sue, Matilda, to name a few and now we have Paige (JoJo) as one of the cutest girls you'll ever see on the big screen. The dialogue in this movie was appropriate both in content and intellect . . . not too basic and not too elevated. Same goes for the storyline. It was appropriate even though there isn't that much of a story. A film like this is more about the human interaction in this slice of drama and having the right cast giving the right performances. The one thing that did disappoint me is how the film ends. That's all I will say about that. All in all, as Priscilla put it, it's a feel good movie with laughter, love and sadness and plenty of messages. For instance, in the circle of life, we are born, we live and we die. The middle part is the one we have the most control over so we must cherish it along with the lives of those around us.

MORE MOVIE REVIEWS >>>