Learning with ‘The Intern’

Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway) had a brainstorm: an online fashion shopping website that guaranteed the clothing sold would fit the buyer. What? That sounds like crazy talk, but she delivers! In fact, the company/website, “About the Fit,” reaches the goal Jules had for it at the end of the five year plan in just nine months. The company has grown to encompass a staff of over 220, including an on-site masseuse.

Jules' right hand man Cameron shares his own brainstorm: hire seniors as interns, but not the high school or collegiate variety, senior citizens. Seniors would bring their work ethic, knowledge and life experience to the job site.

Jules doesn't remember Cameron presenting the idea.

Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) is a 70-year-old widower (of three years). He is a former VP of marketing and advertising who worked in the phone book industry for 40 years. This retiree has a lot of time on his hands, time he planned to spend with his beloved wife of 40 years. He tries everything to fill the void. By chance he sees a flier as he is leaving an outdoor market, advertising senior intern positions. But there's a technology hurdle he'll have to jump over.

After getting advice from his 9-year-old grandson, info Ben shares during his “audition” tape, he makes his pitch for an intern position.

He ends up being one of a handful of seniors chosen for the positions.

Cameron assigns Ben to Jules. The last thing the founder and CEO wants is an intern – regardless of age. But, Cameron informs her, stock is getting low, there are production issues, and, as Jules' right hand man, he informs her the website/company backers are feeling like things are moving too quickly - not that that's a bad thing – but, perhaps it would be better, actually, they would feel more comfortable, if a seasoned CEO was on board.

You can imagine how this news goes over.

Ben, meantime, is becoming a real hit with the staff. He walks around helping the young people out with issues, the younger men ask him for advice and everyone is just really diggin' the suit and tie senior intern. Everyone except Jules. Until the day Ben happens to see her driver swilling down some drink out of a paper bag while he's waiting. Ben gives the guy an ultimatum: you tell her you can't drive or I will. The bond between these two really begins to form at this very moment.

There are some great scenes in this film, like the ones with the office masseuse Fiona (Rene Russo), who ends up really getting a rise out of Ben during one of her roving massage moves. She also gives him her card … Ben gets a newspaper for his lap followed by fist bumps from Davis (Zack Pearlman) and Jason (Adam DeVine) - seated on either side of him.

Moments defining Jules’ and Ben's friendship include their first late night talk while working late, his holding her hair as she pukes from too much tequila, and a trip to San Francisco to meet a very interested party in the CEO position.

Ben has a new relationship budding with Fiona, while Jules' relationship with her husband, Matt (Anders Holm), has seen a few leaves wither and drop off. Their adorable 5-year-old daughter Paige is played by the delightful Jojo Kushner.

Bottom line: What made this film work for me is the very adorable, mellow and grandfatherly De Niro opposite ultra successful working-mom-with-a-guilt-complex, gorgeous-eyed Hathaway. The two work well together; their one-on-one scenes are honest and engaging.

At one point Jules tells Ben that “his presence has a calming affect” on her. But, you’ll already know that -  you will have felt it yourself. As their bond grows, Jules comes to appreciate Ben's analytical business skills as much as his shoulder to cry on. She comes to rely on and trust him as her best friend because she knows he will tell her the truth, and as her savvy intern whose advice is always right on.

And, speaking of De Niro, I mean, Ben, I love the attention he is getting from the ladies in this film. To start with, there's this gal Patty (Linda Lavin) who’s got it bad for the Ben man. She can't understand why he hasn't called her to get together again since their first date – five months earlier - and this is before Ben has met Fiona.

A humorous moment happens at the funeral of a mutual friend of Patty’s and Ben's. He has brought Fiona to the service and it's their first date. Hey, they had a date planned for that day anyway. So, Ben and Fiona take a seat and Patty can't help herself, she's gotta check this competition out. Fiona's about eight or nine years younger and Ben's male friend sitting next to him congratulates Ben on his ‘catch.' Then everyone stands as the casket is being walked down the center aisle. Patty meets Ben's glance … and gives him the finger while mouthing “you.”

You'll enjoy many a moment in “The Intern,” written and directed by Nancy Meyers. Meyers also wrote and directed a few other films you may recall - “It's Complicated,” “Something's Gotta Give” and “What Women Want.”

“The Intern” plays at 7 p.m. at The Harbor Theatre Friday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 25 and Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29. There will also be a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

The Harbor Theatre is located at 185 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor in the mall across from Hannaford.