Lindsey Lowson / 18 May 2025 / Categories: Movie and TV Shows, Movie

The Intern another beauty from the pen of Nancy Meyers

Stylish film didn’t get the credit it deserves

First off this film is not to be confused with the book by Harvard and Stanford Law graduate Michelle Campbell of the same name.

This light hearted uplifting flick is all Nancy Meyers and whilst you definitely feel her wit and style come through the movie it is in no way a carbon copy of previous well received and loved films like It’s Complicated or Father of the Bride.

Whilst a raging success at the box office, the movie cost $35 million to make it took a staggering $195 million at the box office when released in 2015.

The reviews weren’t great which is perhaps why many of us, massive De Niro fans missed it, me included.

It’s a gorgeous film in every way, funny, poignant, stylish as Ms Meyers inspires us through her observational lens and shows us how we all must endure the human experience of getting older and traversing the path of life with all it’s pitfalls and joy.

In the movie "The Intern," the fashion company “About The Fit," is a rapidly growing start up run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway). It's an online clothing company that started small and grew to over 200 employees within 18 months and Jules a slightly neurotic workaholic who doesn’t sleep navigates the prejudice of being a working Mum with the other more traditional Moms in the school playground.

The film swaps between the Brown stone townhouse Jules, husband Matt and daughter Paige call home and the office, a converted printing factory where Ben Whittaker (de Niro) worked for 40 years before retiring. It’s a cute twist, spoiler that won’t ruin the watch only perhaps enhance it by knowing this touching addition to the plot.

Ben Whittaker is a 70 year old widower, a former executive from the phone company and phone book printing works. Things may change but the walls can always talk. Don’t think it’s an old people’s movie. He’s very easy on the eye and his co star and leading lady Anne Hathaway as Jules is the perfect fashion boss contrast in her preppy dresses and heels riding her bike around the office to get where she’s going just that little bit faster. Ben’s son's family lives out of town. He’s doing Tai chi in the park, learning mandarin and had a date 5 months ago with Patty, who’s mad about him, a woman he’s politely trying to outrun. As he tries to fill his days of leisure he spots a flyer advertising internships for senior citizens and decides it’s time to get back to work.

The best part of the film for me comes from a supporting role from Rene Russo who plays Fiona, the office masseuse, a woman with a free spirit, grateful for her job, her lovely office wellbeing studio where she doles out back rubs, a reluctant Ben Whittaker included to keep every all the employees relaxed and motivated.

Never in his wildest dreams did Ben imagine “having a crush on a girl at work” has he concluded his 10 minute elevator pitch before taking her on a date to a funeral. Very funny indeed when Patty (Linda Lavin) the woman chasing Ben attends the funeral too hoping for a chance interaction with her unrequited paramour.

Stylish cinematography, NYC suburb vibes, business, friendship, affairs, mistakes, loneliness, all the trials and tribulations of life packaged in a lovely positive wise film.