The Intern (2015)

[tabuno]

It seems to me that Cinemabon contradicts himself regarding what he believes is "the weakest plot point," the last sentence in paragraph two by his statements in the entire following third paragraph. Enough said about that point. I really enjoyed the rest of Cinemabon's comments, though with a partial fascination for Ann Hathaway I give her performance more credit than Cinemabon.

Robert DeNiro and Ann Hathaway star in this dramatic comedy about an elderly intern to an e-business executive. Directed and written by Nancy Meyers, The Intern offers up an entertaining and finely balanced movie about growing older, about females balancing business and personal responsibilities at home, and about close relationships in general. It is an engaging look at contemporary life and the human element that we often take for granted. The Intern is hard to rate because it’s much more reflective of life than the dramatic stylish script the audience and critics have often come to expect. Nancy has incorporated intense, sensitive dramatic scenes which derive from the natural human state of existence rather than the oftentimes overly dramatic scenes for audience reaction. The ending of this movie is a case in point, it doesn’t end with explosive titillating satisfaction, but with a soft landing of the expected natural consequences of life trying to work itself out.

This movie resembles coming of age comedy-dramas like Uptown Girls (2003) or Waitress (2007) but for the elderly with somewhat older established women. There is also some suggestive elements that could even come from the Best Oscar classic Roman Holiday (1953) with its primary emphasis less on the romantic comedy than on the experience of everyday business life, such as Ann Hathaway experienced in own her breakout film The Devils Wears Prada (2006). What’s remarkable is that The Intern reflects one of the few movies that doesn’t focus on a romance plot and instead uses another relational theme as the movie’s core and still is able to captivate and move the audience, a rare and difficult accomplishment in itself. Even so though, unlike Lost in Translation (2003) the ending doesn’t seem to quite able to smooth out the uncomfortable mental ruffles.

[Chris Knipp]

Ms. Hathaway spells her name Anne with an e, as a Scottish lady I chatted with, also an Anne, commented on the EuroStar to me yesterday. I haven't seen THE INTERN but it's showing in big Paris theaters and I might if I run out of more appealing fare. I'll keep in mind the Boomer aspect. Metacritc rating 51%.

[cinemabon]

Cream of the crop didn't fare any better (53%). I found it incredulous that DeNiro's character should be completely devoid of any Facebook knowledge at a time when it's dominated by people over thirty and especially people over 50 (its majority share of users). That he couldn't even figure out a laptop computer stretched it a bit. Computers - in form or another - have been around for over two decades with Apple around before most PC's took off. Signing up for Facebook is extremely easy. Using Google even easier. I just found it unlikely that despite his age, he'd be so computer illiterate.

Paris in the fall, Chris? Fashion? Movies? Qu'est-ce que c'est?

[tabuno]

I love Anne of Green Gables. At 60, I really can't text, so I wouldn't be surprised that there are elderly people who haven't even used a computer. But I am willing to accept the disbelief about DeNiro's character lack of knowledge about Facebook, but just not quite as much.

[Chris Knipp]

I've been visiting Paris after the NYFF almost every year since I started covering the festival and I do go to movies here -- there's a good selection -- but also have always come to see and hang out with friends.

Before covering the NYFF for Filmleaf by a year or two, one fall in Paris I discovered that I knew enough French to watch French movies without subtitles. I missed a lot, but it was also cool to see new French movies when they were first out in Paris, with a French audience. That first time was September, "La Rentrée," end of vacation and start of the fall season, when there's a great selection, but October isn't bad. And also Paris has new movies from the US naturally and from Asia and Europe with French subtitles. I did not read the subtitles of YOUTH, which is in English. But I can watch a Chinese movie with French subtitles. I wish the French movies had French subtitles!

[cinemabon]

I envy you so much; being able to travel. I love to travel and would sell my eye teeth just to see Florence before I die (bucket list). I think if I ever went to Paris, I would do two things (beside get rid of my wife and wander off on my own). I would spend an entire day in the Louvre. And I would walk up and down the Champs Elysees just listening to people speaking French (hopeless Romantic at heart). I wonder how some aspects of "The Intern" play in places like Europe (is Facebook big there, too?) or in China where Facebook is probably non-existent. The value of older people in society is often lost in American culture.

I just wanted to add the one metal sculpture, "Picasso's dog" so labeled by the Chicago press, is quite impressive to see at the Civic Center. I was there at the dedication. The Marc Chagall is impressive, too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Picasso

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en...urseasons.html

[Chris Knipp]

I should go to the Picasso Museum here in Paris, which has been reopened after years of refurbishing, but having back trouble now and museums are tricky for that, so waiting for a friend who's coming next week. The Louvre has to be visited, but it's too beg for me. I like the smaller museums, except that I love the Musee Pompidou. I'm in a different part of town from the Champs Elysees, but there are many lovely streets to wander along and you might hear more French on them. I hope you get to do your bucket list things. I do sell my eye teeth to do this traveling and spend so much time in NYC -- it's a priority and I make sacrifices to do it.