Nancy Meyers is one of those filmmakers whose name alone will get audiences into the seats. That was so the case with her latest film, The Intern. The director of It’s Complicated, Something’s Gotta Give and The Holiday is back once again writing and helming the Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway surprisingly charming comedy that might even change a few minds in the process.
The Intern lands on Blu-Ray and DVD after a successful run on the big screen. Why the film is such a great home video is nothing is lost in the move from big to (not-so) small screen. This is the type of film that should be shared with an audience, but if that opportunity missed you, the home video release is an impeccable format to witness Meyers’ latest (and perhaps greatest?) cinematic achievement.
De Niro stars as a widowed, recently retired New Yorker who is finding little satisfaction in the leisurely life of his golden years. He’s traveled. He’s doing yoga and generally… he’s bored. Anne Hathaway is the creative genius behind an online clothing store that has rapidly taken off and is showing no signs of slowing down. They start a senior — as in age, not grade in high school or college — intern program. De Niro hears about it and thinks it will be just what he needs to find the joy in life that he has been so missing. The only thing is, once he arrives, it seems that his experience is the thing that most people at Hathaway’s company (including her) will benefit from. It’s not the other way around.
As we stated in our theatrical The Intern review, that is just one element of what makes this film such a joy. The turn the tables storytelling is nothing new, but in the hands of Meyers and her talented cast, it feels fresh and dare we say, beloved. You just want to hug De Niro as he imparts his wisdom while simultaneously finding the rhythm in his step restored.
De Niro and Hathaway are the big sellers here as the two find a chemistry that is such a joy to witness as it evolves over the course of the film. Their getting along is never a given, and that too is refreshing in this age of film’s advertising their outcome a mile away. But the casting brilliance does not stop there. Rene Russo, Anders Holm, Adam DeVine (Pitch Perfect 2), Linda Lavin (great to see her back on screen) and Zack Pearlman form an outstanding supporting ensemble.
When it comes to The Intern Blu-Ray bonus features, unfortunately, we wish there was more.
Learning From Experience finds several cast members and Meyers talking about the youthful characters and how they all come to learn from The Intern (De Niro). The tagline of the film is truly felt throughout this bonus feature (Experience Never Gets Old) and it appears that sentiment is felt on and off screen while witnessing this bonus feature. Their insight into the story as a whole is also quite fascinating in that as The Intern is billed as a two-star headliner, by the time you finish the film itself and witness Learning From Experience, you get the feeling that Meyers’ latest film is actually a true ensemble.
Speaking to how incredible that supporting cast is the bonus feature The Three Interns, which focuses on the actors who play the other interns in the quartet of folks trying to learn something from their experience at Hathaway’s company. Zack Pearlman, Adam DeVine and Jason Orley wax poetic about their time with De Niro and at the same time, show how they belong on that screen with him, going toe-to-toe.
For fans of production design, Designs on Life is a nice addition that centers on the look of the film. It’s not always an aspect of the filmmaking process that gets a spotlight. So, it’s nice to see Meyers and her team showcase it on The Intern Blu-Ray.
Film: B+
Bonus Features: B