“The Intern” is an amazing feel-good movie
The Intern is for anyone wanting to delve into a movie’s characters and their relationships
When I first heard about The Intern, I wasn’t interested. It looked dull, preachy, and boring, so I didn’t bother watching it when it came out in 2015. But recently, I sat down, saw it, and was pleasantly surprised.
The Intern is a movie starring Anne Hathaway, who plays Jules Ortin, the CEO of a booming clothing website, and Robert De Niro, who plays 70-year-old Ben Whittaker, a new intern working for Ortin under her senior citizen internship program.
Going into the film, I expected a comedy with most of it playing off the hilarity of an old man working under a fast-paced CEO in her twenties in a business riddled with modern technology. I was correct that there would be jokes like this, but they were spread out throughout the movie and limited to a few scenes, which I found refreshing.
Surprisingly, De Niro’s character was not the stereotypical grumpy old man set in his ways. Ben is a sweet, caring, and dedicated man with a personality reminiscent of a teddy bear. De Niro portrays his character excellently and any time Ben is on screen, he emanates positivity and makes the movie enjoyable to watch.
Even more enjoyable were the interactions between Ben and Jules. Despite a rocky start to their friendship, the actors and the characters have great chemistry. Both actors do exceptional jobs, especially in emotional scenes, pulling out the tiny details in their performances that make it seem all the more real.
The actors pull the movie together. The story is simple, discussing issues normal people struggle with every day. The subplot I most enjoyed was the exploration of the perception of the elderly and their capabilities, and in other circumstances, I would have been bored. But the actors’ portrayals had me invested and entertained when I otherwise wouldn’t have been.
The Intern is a wonderful, heartwarming movie. If you enjoy relaxed movies that focus on characters and their relationships, this one is for you.

Melody is a senior at Beaverton High School who edits and writes opinion pieces about the school. She also enjoys both watching and performing in theater...
B.Joe • May 31, 2020 at 5:34 am
This and another Robert De Niro’s heartwarming movie, Everybody’s Fine (2009) is truly a gem. I have seen The Intern several times now and it will be in my favourite list mainly because firstly it is a good lesson that old & retired does not mean the end, secondly, there are still values for something old school (I remembered the weird looks I got when I joined an IT firm wearing a neck-tie) and thirdly it simply shows that we should not take things seriously even it means waiting for 1 email the whole day (you can always keep yourself busy).
Phil Blender • Mar 30, 2024 at 9:22 am
I totally agree. Some many people do not consider a movie great unless it has a deep psychological meaning; however, I feel a little different.
Mostly I watch a movie to be entertained and educated. Boy did this movie entertain me. Being 72 when I first saw it, the theme really hit home. The actors were excellent, that is, they seemed like real people not actors playing a role.
Let me conclude by saying, “if you really want to enjoy and be entertained by a movie” The Intern is for YOU!