The Intern

The Intern – Basic Information

• Release Year: 2015
• Rating: PG-13
• Genre: Comedy
• Running Time: 121 minutes
• Director: Nancy Meyers
• Starring: Anne Hathaway (as Jules Ostin), Robert De Niro (as Ben Whittaker)

A Heartwarming Film, The Intern

The Intern is a movie that warms the heart. It tells the story of a 30-year-old young CEO and a 70-year-old senior intern. It’s a lighthearted, feel-good film that left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. While watching, I found myself thinking that I’d love to grow old as gracefully as Ben, the senior intern. Now, let me introduce the plot.

Synopsis

Jules Ostin, the CEO of a rapidly growing e-commerce company, is a passionate and driven 30-year-old woman. In just a year and a half, she has built her startup into a company with over 220 employees. She strives for perfection in everything—work, family, and self-care—never neglecting a single aspect of her life.

One day, her company launches a senior internship program for individuals aged 65 and older. Enter Ben Whittaker, a retired widower who worked at the same company for 40 years. Though he has tried to enjoy his retirement by traveling and relaxing, he still feels an emptiness in his life. Upon discovering the senior internship program, he decides to apply and is ultimately hired.

However, Jules is uncomfortable with the idea of having an older intern. She avoids giving Ben any tasks, hoping he will stay out of her way. But Ben, with his proactive attitude, finds ways to contribute, quickly befriending his colleagues and seamlessly integrating into the company.

Meanwhile, Jules faces challenges regarding her leadership. Investors are skeptical about her young age and lack of extensive experience, pushing for a more seasoned CEO to take over. Although reluctant, Jules begins meeting with potential candidates for the position.

As Jules juggles her busy schedule, her chauffeur unexpectedly quits, and Ben steps in as her temporary driver. With his keen observation skills and wisdom, he supports Jules in ways she doesn’t initially appreciate. Feeling uncomfortable with Ben’s presence, she reassigns him to another department. However, Ben remains steady and composed, excelling in his new role, and over time, Jules starts to warm up to him. Eventually, she entrusts him with the role of her assistant.

One day, Ben accidentally discovers that Jules’s husband, Matt, is having an affair. Rather than confronting her, he waits for Jules to bring it up herself. Jules, too, is aware of the infidelity but blames herself, believing her dedication to work has driven Matt away. She considers hiring a new CEO, thinking it might help repair her marriage. Confiding in Ben, she receives comfort and encouragement from him. He tells her not to sacrifice her dreams because of her husband’s mistakes—she is more than capable of running the company on her own.

In the end, Jules decides to remain CEO without bringing in outside leadership. Meanwhile, Matt acknowledges his mistakes and asks for her forgiveness. The movie concludes with Jules seeking out Ben, who is practicing Tai Chi in the park, to share her final decision with him.

The Meaning Behind The Intern

Ben is a 70-year-old man with 40 years of work experience and a lifetime of wisdom, yet he starts fresh as an intern at a new workplace. On the other hand, Jules, though a successful CEO, is still an “intern” in the grand scheme of life. In this sense, the title The Intern doesn’t just refer to Ben—it represents both him and Jules.

Ben humbly embraces learning in his new role while also using his wisdom to help those around him. Watching him, I found myself wishing for a mentor like him in my own life. And when I grow older, I hope to age with the same grace, wisdom, and humility as Ben.

Personal Reflection

Senior employment programs are becoming more common in our society, but just like Jules at the beginning of the film, many people are hesitant about working with older colleagues. There’s a widespread assumption that seniors are slow and struggle to learn new things. Unfortunately, many elderly individuals also internalize these biases, limiting themselves.

However, The Intern challenges this perception through Ben’s character. Aging is not merely a decline—it’s a process of accumulating experience and wisdom, becoming more mature and composed. Our society is full of individuals like Ben, people with a wealth of knowledge and insight. Rather than simply treating them as elderly or frail, we should recognize their individuality and value their contributions. If we foster an environment where they feel encouraged to take on new challenges, our society will become a more inclusive and dynamic place.

Thank you for reading.