The Film

The Intern is a 2015 American comedy film directed, produced and written by Nancy Meyers. The film stars Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway in the two leading roles, with supporting performances from Rene Russo, Anders Holm, Andrew Rannells, Adam DeVine, Christina Scherer, and Zack Pearlman.

Starting a new job can be a difficult challenge, especially if you're already retired. Feeling bored and looking to get back into the game, 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) seizes the opportunity to become a senior intern at an online fashion site. Ben soon becomes popular with his younger co-workers, including Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway), the boss and founder of the company. Whittaker's charm, wisdom and sense of humour help him develop a special bond and growing friendship with Jules.

The film had its premiere in Belgium on 17th September 2015 and was released by Warner Bros in the United States on 25th September 2015.

Cinema Trailer

Production

Originally set up at Paramount Pictures, The Intern was planned to feature Tina Fey and Michael Caine in the lead roles. When a budget could not be settled, Meyers decided to pre-package before going out to other studios and was able to start negotiations for both actors. Handed over to Warner Bros, Fey was replaced by Reese Witherspoon as the attached star, though Witherspoon left the film in January 2014, due to scheduling conflicts. As of 7th February 2014, Anne Hathaway was in final talks to replace Witherspoon in the lead role. Stephen Goldblatt was set as director of photography. On 23rd June 23, Zack Pearlman joined the cast of the film.

Filming

Principal photography began on 23rd June 2014, in Brooklyn, New York City. The major part of the filming was undertaken in the Bronx in the Hunts Point area on Barretto Street.

Critical Reception

CinemaScore announced that audiences gave the film an average grade of 'A-' on an A+ to F scale.

Richard Roeper gave the film an 'A–', stating, "With some genuinely insightful dialogue, a number of truly funny bits of physical business, and small scenes allowing us to get know and like a half-dozen supporting players, 'The Intern' grows on us from scene to scene, from moment to moment."

Manohla Dargis, in The New York Times, wrote that the film was typical of Nancy Meyers' other films: "... frothy, playful, homogeneous, routinely maddening and generally pretty irresistible." Dargis praised Meyers for "the smartest choice she makes in 'The Intern': Mr. De Niro, her loosest, most valuable player" who "owns the movie from the moment he opens his mouth."