The Intern
The De Niro wears Prada.
Hearing that Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro are in a film called The Intern immediately makes you think that Hathaway is the sparky novice whose very arrival re-ignites passion and belief in De Niro’s cynical, worldweary tycoon. Happily, Nancy Meyers’ dramedy pulls off a cunning switcheroo – it’s actually De Niro’s widowed retiree who’s the titular unpaid drone, arriving to pep up Hathaway’s overworked executive.
What is this? Another attempt by Hollywood to appeal to the grey dollar? Maybe, but the 65-year-old Meyers has always scripted well for those in her age bracket – in films like Something’s Gotta Give and It’s Complicated. Here, The Intern is made by De Niro, who delivers one of his most likeable characters in years. Played with dignity and distinction, Ben Whittaker is a lively New Yorker who’s taking steps to move on with life in the wake of his wife’s passing.
Hence his application to become a senior intern as the online fashion company founded by Hathaway’s breezy entrepreneur Jules Ostin. Soon, he is assigned to Jules herself, who is rather dismissive of the company’s outreach programme. But gradually Ben wins her over – from tidying up the junk-strewn desk that annoys her to chauffeuring her around town. The little things then get bigger – not like that – with Ben becoming a shoulder to cry on as Jules juggles marital/professional issues.
There’s fine support – from Rene Russo, as a masseuse Ben becomes friendly with, and Girls star Adam DeVine as Jules’ right-hand man. But this is De Niro’s film all the way. OK, it’s not Taxi Driver, but compared with the recent likes of The Family or Grudge Match, it feels like a refreshing choice. As for Hathaway, she does her job, though Jules is fundamentally annoying – whether riding her bike through the office or weeping buckets. “You’ll get used to me,” she says. Actually, we’d rather not. THE VERDICT If there can be such a thing as solid fluff, then this is it. Meyers’ middle-of-the-road sensibilities blended with a watchable De Niro make for an undemanding but pleasant ride. › Certificate 12A Director Nancy Meyers Starring Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Adam DeVine, Nat Wolff Screenplay Nancy Meyers Distributor Warner Running time 121 mins