Anne Hathaway’s role in her most recent film, “The Intern” warrants a flashback to 2006’s “The Devil Wears Prada,” as this time around she trades her internship title for the role of CEO of her own startup company.
Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway) stars as a modern career woman heading her own fashion e-commerce business titled “About The Fit,” whose small idea has now landed her in charge of more than 200 employees.
When her assistant, Cameron (Andrew Rannells), brings up the senior intern program Hathaway was too preoccupied to pay attention to, she agrees to let 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) be assigned to her for six weeks.
As expected, it takes a while for work-obsessed Hathaway to allow De Niro to assist her in anything, but throughout the film they grow closer as they each break down each other’s walls.
It does a decent job of highlighting real-life obstacles women who value their career sometimes face, and puts them into perspective with De Niro’s calm manner.
While Hathaway’s inner struggles are shrouded in her passion for her work, De Niro functions as a wisdom-filled emotional crutch.
However, the juxtaposition of Hathaway’s and De Niro’s roles strikes a balance between the fast-paced world of millennials with the old-school focus on quality over quantity.
The film also features popular actor Nat Wolff, along with comedic actors Anders Holm and Adam DeVine, giving the feature a light-hearted feel.
Though it has underlying serious tones, it’s not without its humor. Several scenes evoke out-loud laughter while others hinge on thoughtful reflection and more emotional encounters.
The film builds slowly but eventually matures and becomes enjoyable. However, the second half tackles the toughest obstacles, making it a near tear-jerker.
In a classic ending, all things are resolved, leaving viewers satisfied with their decision to see it.
Overall, it doesn’t quite measure up to other box-office hits already showing or coming soon to theaters, but it it’s a film that reminds us every generation has something to learn from the other.