Why ‘The Intern’ is the perfect Friday night movie
It’s been a long week of meetings, emails and mundanity. The weekend is finally near for a much-deserved break, and nothing better than a good ol’ movie night to kickstart it. But it cannot be just any film which will ultimately leave you dissatisfied with the story. Stepping away from the saturated, mind-numbing week, a loud, flashy action movie is the last thing one wants. What you need is to be comforted and relaxed to make the experience worthwhile.
As you pull a blanket over you and settle on your couch in your pyjamas, with a bowl of your comfort meal, a Nancy Meyers film is the perfect choice to complete the night. Seek no further than the affectionate and lovable comfort of watching The Intern.
Starring the legendary Robert De Niro and the charming Anne Hathaway, this romantic comedy-drama will ease you into a good mood. Meyers, true to her style, brings a film that carries a balance between emotional intensity and witty humour. The Intern carries her signature essence at its core of being a feel-good movie, never in a preachy, clichéd manner, through a genuine exploration of themes that define the story, creating layers of complexity.
Hathaway’s Jules Ostin’s growing fashion startup hires an elderly widower, De Niro’s 70-year-old Ben Whittaker, as an intern. It is not your regular intergenerational clash, but it is built on the foundation of a relationship of mutual respect that blossoms between the two characters. Ben is not dismissive of the youth’s ways; in a refreshing turn, he embraces and even complements them with his old-school charm.
More than De Niro’s classic portrayal of an elderly man with buzzing youthfulness, through Ben, it is Hathaway’s Jules who takes the cake. She is not the stoic and perfect girlboss, often glamourised by the media, but is a passionate and ambitious CEO whose attention to detail is driven by her vulnerability and desire to balance work-life priorities. Meyers and Hathaway explore the societal expectations set on women, especially a working mother. Her struggles and conflicts add authenticity to the film’s plot, bolstered by the platonic dynamic of Jules and Ben as the embodiment of generational mutual respect and emotional strength.
Keeping to her classic aesthetic, the director presents a visually pleasing environment for the film. The interiors are pristine, and the lighting is soft, creating a cosy atmosphere for the story to be nurtured. The calmness of the visual aspects plays against the often chaotic inner lives of the characters, making for an engaging experience.
There are no high-stakes tension or dramatic situations that the characters are put through, relying instead on the simplicity and quietness of everyday life and the troubles that brew as a result of existence. The Intern builds on emotional realism, creating a cathartic environment that does not push you to sensory exhaustion but urges you into a state of quiet reflection.
With characters representing both ends of the spectrum, the film offers something everyone can connect to. Moreover, its understated humour powers its relevance, which can appeal across generations. Its sincerity and kindness are enveloped in subtle wit, creating a harmonious start to your weekend.