movie: The Intern (2015)

[socca]

I just watched the movie The Intern (2015). It's about a retired 70-year-old guy (Robert De Niro) who finds retirement unfulfilling and thus returns to the workforce as an intern at a Brooklyn internet startup founded and run by a young woman (Anne Hathaway).

Some comments:

• I liked De Niro's performance in this movie. Those of us who are (presumably) closer to death than birth tend to not sweat the small stuff, and De Niro plays his part with an appropriate degree of detached amusement.

• I found Hathaway difficult to believe as the founder & president of 220-person startup. Although undeniably cute, she lacks the 'edge' I've noticed in high-achievers.

• there is a scene in this movie that really aggravated me. The boss (Hathaway) and subordinate (De Niro) are on a business trip, and check into a hotel - separate rooms, of course. A fire alarm sends them out into the street in their bathrobes. After the alarm is cleared, Hathaway casually invites De Niro into her hotel room, and then casually invites him to stretch out on her bed. She then stretches out on the other side of the bed. They are both still in their bathrobes. They then have a chat. It's all supposed to be very normal and platonic. Hello? Am I badly out of date, or has there been a serious violation of corporate protocol here? Did the scriptwriter ever actually work in the real world? This scene left me shaking my head in disbelief.

Something for your Netflix queue if you can't find anything else to watch ...

 

[Options]

From the 1980's through the late 2000's, I went to the movies once a week rain or shine. A lot of those movies are now available on YouTube for free. On a small screen, it's amazing how schlocky they appear. I refuse to pay for movies now (or for any "push media" anymore. I wouldn't pay for Netflix with my neighbor's money).

I'll watch The Jeremy Kyle Show out of the UK (Jerry Springer on steroids) before I'll spend a dime on yet another poorly made American movie.

 

[NW-Bound]

De Niro is one of my favorite actors. I heard of this movie from this forum, and forgot about it. Just placed a hold request at the local library. I have not watched any DVD for a while.

 

[Sunset]

Why does the bed scene bother you ?
In the real corporate world how many men would be believed when they claimed they were sexually harassed by a woman ?

Ann H. in the movie would simply have claim sexual harassment and the intern would be out, and if he didn't do whatever she wanted, the same thing applies.

All the courses I ever had in the Corp world were always about what men do, and if they "leered" at a short skirt that was harassment, no mention that the short skirt was too short.. ?

 

[easysurfer]

I really liked the movie. Pretty much a feel good movie. I won't give any spoilers, but the only negative is I felt the movie ended a bit abruptly. Very impressed by De Niro's and Anne Hathaway's performances.

 

[harley]

All the courses I ever had in the Corp world were always about what men do, and if they "leered" at a short skirt that was harassment, no mention that the short skirt was too short.. ?

No such thing. And seriously, the old "she deserved it because of the way she was dressed" defense? That's why they invented sunglasses, so you can leer privately. If they ask you why you are wearing sunglasses at work, just say the computer monitor gives you headaches.

 

[FireBug]

I enjoyed that movie as well. It was good entertainment. But, I'm a little puzzled IT'S A MOVIE! I think a better question should be when did we start to believe that movies represent a reality. It bugs me that everyone gets to say "based on real events" and the audience takes it as a documentary. Don't mean to drift off topic and this is no criticism towards the OP, but movies for the most part should be escapism. I personally think that Americans now listen to the radio, go to movies, and hear from people they agree with and immediately say, "Yes, that is exactly true".....(not)

 

[John Galt III]

I've been a DeNiro fan since Taxi Driver. Will check out The Intern, based on those reviews that were positive here. I agree a lot of movies have unrealistic scenes stuck in for some (plot?) purpose, and it can be annoying. I'm also annoyed by politically correct stuff that is forced in and sticks out like a sore thumb (but I won't give any examples, so as not to cause problems).

 

[Bestwifeever]

We liked the movie. I think the hotel bedroom scene was supposed to remind us that start-ups today aren't your father's megacorp, just like the scenes ofbHathaway riding a bike through the crowded office to go 20 feet to a different desk. Sure.

We just saw DeNiro in the movie Joy. He is most enjoyable to watch but seems to be playing the same person a lot of the time (or maybe I'm just watching the same kinds of movies).

 

[Dawg52]

I watched the trailer and it looks like a light hearted feel good movie to me. I too like DeNiro so plan to watch it.

 

[dixonge]

Their relationship evolves into almost a father/daughter feel. But no, it's not realistic. That's why it's labeled fiction.

 

[easysurfer]

DeNiro is such a good actor that I'd forget it was DeNiro and just think of him as the character he portrayed.

 

[Silver]

I've seen the movie and thought it was just OK....kinda boring. But I thought this scene was about Anne H. trying to be romantic with DeNiro to get past her conflicted father-figure feelings about him, which didn't work. Was a little weird I guess, but most movies are.

 

[frayne]

I saw it when it first came out and at the time was working for my son on an internet start-up with a bunch of 30 year olds. They wore shorts, tennis shoes, had a ping pong table in the office along with a couple of corn hole boards and music playing constantly. I came in everyday in business casual with my briefcase. I got the nom de plume of OWG (old white guy) which I wore like a badge of honor. It was actually fun working with the kids once we got used to each other. They all saw the movie and would kid me all the time of being their DiNero type character.

 

[IBWino]

My wife and I just saw this recently while staying in a rented cottage (it was available as a DVD loaner at the check-in desk). We didn't know anything about it, but we really enjoyed. DeNiro was great.

 

[Koolau]

IT'S A MOVIE!

<SNIIP>

This was the first thing that came to MY mind. YMMV

 

[bclover]

I enjoyed that movie as well. It was good entertainment. But, I'm a little puzzled IT'S A MOVIE! I think a better question should be when did we start to believe that movies represent a reality. It bugs me that everyone gets to say "based on real events" and the audience takes it as a documentary. Don't mean to drift off topic and this is no criticism towards the OP, but movies for the most part should be escapism. I personally think that Americans now listen to the radio, go to movies, and hear from people they agree with and immediately say, "Yes, that is exactly true".....(not)

+1

I enjoyed the movie. It is a feel good piece and never intended to remotely resemble real life.

 

[jazz4cash]

Their relationship evolves into almost a father/daughter feel. But no, it's not realistic. That's why it's labeled fiction.

This^

I like DeNiro and I enjoyed the movie. I saw it on cable. I think this movie was enjoyable but way beneath his skill level, like most of the other stuff he's done the last several years (e.g. Meet The Parents). It's like he's in OMM (one more movie) mode.

 

[folivier]

Wish it were available for streaming, come on Netflix that's why I'm paying you monthly!

 

[Aerides]

Was cute if a bit stupid. Yes the scene was unrealistic, but i didn't get any creepy vibe from it. Just that as others mentioned she needed fatherly advice, and was a bit of a mess personally.

 

[NW-Bound]

I can tolerate silly dramas which do not resemble real life a lot better than silly action movies with stunts that violate the laws of physics. But then, I am a nerdy engineer. I can look at people acting out of the norm and do not think it's impossible.

 

[John Galt III]

Just saw it. Got it from the library on dvd for free. (Why do I still pay for cable?). I'd never watch a "Hallmark" movie like this if it were on cable because the commercials would ruin it for me. (no dvr). I liked it. No commercials! I thought the bed scene was fairly believable, knowing how needy and weird the women in corporate America can be (not a slam, just sayin) I liked Hathaway's character and DeNiro's too. What really struck me was the secondary male actors seemed to have been told to be very plain, boring Beta males, maybe to make the film work better for DenNiro's "restrained Alpha male" role?)

 

[Chuckanut]

After the alarm is cleared, Hathaway casually invites De Niro into her hotel room, and then casually invites him to stretch out on her bed. She then stretches out on the other side of the bed. They are both still in their bathrobes. They then have a chat. It's all supposed to be very normal and platonic. Hello? Am I badly out of date, or has there been a serious violation of corporate protocol here? Did the scriptwriter ever actually work in the real world? This scene left me shaking my head in disbelief. Something for your Netflix queue if you can't find anything else to watch ...

She invited him onto her bed while they are both in their bathrobes because he is Robert De Niro - handsome, famous, rich. The three most important things that women like in a man, even if he is an older one.

Had it been some guy like me, he would probably been housed in the Motel 6 down the street.

 

[MRG]

Happened all the time at Megacorp. What are you talking about?

I still remember when my VP retired unannounced one weekend. His younger, attractive admin was much smarter than he gave her credit for.

 

[Chuckanut]

I can tolerate silly dramas which do not resemble real life a lot better than silly action movies with stunts that violate the laws of physics. .

WHAT?!?!?! You mean if a bridge underneath me gives way and collapses I can't jump up six feet from it to a safe place on land?