By Amy Lukac
Opinion Editor
Audiences crave touching relationships in movies.
Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio’s bond touched hearts in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin caused our hearts to swell and our tears to fall in “My Girl” and Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly’s silly relationship had audiences fall in love with their joint stupidity in “Step Brothers.”
Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro’s relationship in Nancy Meyers’ movie “The Intern” is as charming and realistic as it can get.
Hathaway plays Jules Ostin, the founder and CEO of a successful Brooklyn e-commerce startup, “About the Fit.” In contrast to her role in “The Devil Wears Prada,” Hathaway has been promoted in a sense. She isn’t, however, a fire-breathing dragon lady, she’s an honest, sweet character just trying to get through the obstacles in her life.
Ben, played by Robert De Niro, is an old-school retiree who represents a warm father figure, a best friend and a real gentleman (which has lost its way in the 21st century). He brings calmness to the other characters in the movie, as well as the people watching from the theater.
Ben notices a flyer on the street informing him about a new senior internship program at “About the Fit.” He makes, and sends in a video version of a resume and he gets a call to come to the business for an in-person interview.
He ends up not only getting the internship, but he has been assigned as Jules’ personal intern. Although she’s not too pleased with the decision at first, she ends up learning more about him and herself along the way.
The movie was funny, witty, charming and a success.
During an important scene in a side story, Jules had to make a decision (spoiler alert) about her marriage. Meyers’ movies always end up happy in every aspect, and every side story line. Meyers’ decision in this particular part of the movie seemed a little unrealistic and undesirable and is a bit pointless to the movie.
“The Intern” meets in between two different realities: old school and new age. The differences are shown in the behavior of Ben and the other interns, as well as the way they dressed, and how they handled situations.
The two realities crossed paths at times. For example, one of the interns decided to dress in a suit and tie instead of his “untucked shirt.” Ben pointed it out and then gave both young men he sat between a fist bump after a hilarious scene.
“The Intern” premiered on Friday, Sept. 15 and took in $6.22 million on the first night. Assuming Saturday night gets to at least $18 million for the weekend, it would be director / writer Meyers’ third biggest debut. You can go see “The Intern” now in any participating movie theater near you.
Email Amy at:
alukac@live.esu.edu
