I finally got around to seeing The Intern last week, and if you haven’t yet, I highly recommend seeing it. This charming comedy stars Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro, and is directed by Nancy Meyers. Hathaway plays Jules Ostin, a CEO of an online fashion company, and De Niro plays Ben Whitaker, a 70-year-old man who applies for a senior internship program because he is bored with retirement. Ben gets hired on as an intern and is assigned to Jules, who is, at first, extremely reluctant to give him any work to do. As the movie progresses, Ben begins to win over Jules, and she opens up to him about her work, her family, and her relationship issues.
This movie had me laughing, tearing up, and reflecting. I fell in love with the characters and it left me with that bubbly feeling you get when you see a movie that you truly adore. I am definitely one to over analyze after I see a movie: I think about alternate endings, how the characters must have felt, and what I would have done if I was in their shoes. Most importantly, I think about life lessons that I took away from what I just watched.
Here are 3 that I took away from The Intern.
1. It’s never too late to start a new career.
As a college senior that has changed my major one too many times, it was reassuring to see Ben throw himself into a new career path at age 70. It was so comical, yet so adorable, to see an old man trying to learn the ropes at a growing fashion company. At one point during the movie, Jules even shows him how to maneuver Facebook. The Intern really does show you that no matter how old you are, it’s never too late to try something new. The tagline of the film is so true: experience never gets old.
2. Always, always, always believe in yourself.
During the movie, Jules is faced with a difficult decision on whether or not she should back down as the CEO of her company and hire someone else. You can tell she is very stressed out and doesn’t think she is good enough to balance her career, her daughter, and her marriage. I won’t give away any spoilers, but the bottom line is don’t ever sell yourself short. You can do whatever you set your mind to, and you shouldn’t back down because someone else tells you that you aren’t capable.
3. You can get by with a little help from your friends.
The famous Beatles lyrics hold true — you really can get through just about anything with a little support from your friends. Jules is so against confiding in anyone, and she even transfers Ben to a different department at one point. Ben is loyal and shows her the meaning of true friendship; he really gives her someone to lean on. By the end of the movie, Jules even calls Ben her best friend (*cue tears*).
This feel-good film received average to positive reviews from the critics, but an A+ from me. It was truly playful, funny, and genuine. No matter how old you are, I think that you can take away something from this movie.
Have you seen The Intern? Share your thoughts about the movie by commenting below or tweeting @ColumBUZZ614.