The Intern
2015  PG-13  COMEDY-DRAMA  2h 1min
CAST— Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo
MUSIC— Theodore Shapiro  DIRECTOR— Nancy Meyers

     Okay but often cloyingly sweet dramedy featuring Robert De Niro in a subdued role, not as the street smart tough, but as a sympathetic role model for all. A retired widower with nothing but time on his hands, De Niro decides to apply to an up and coming, trendy online clothing company. They hire De Niro as an intern, pairing him with the company’s founder and owner, Anne Hathaway. Not being the easiest person to work for Hathaway balks at the very notion of having a seventy-year old intern… but wait a minute, he seems to be pretty good at, well, just about everything. Having been a businessman for forty years probably has something to do with that. De Niro proves his mettle not only in this new business atmosphere, but also uses his lifetime of experience to mentor all these youngsters at work, eventually breaking through Hathaway’s all-work-no-play attitude. The two grow closer through laughter, tears, and just plain old warm and fuzziness. There are problems here. Though featuring quality performances nothing is terribly convincing (especially the out of nowhere, male bonding breaking and entering scene), and even though he’s the star of the show De Niro looks kinda uncomfortable throughout, especially while being rubbed on by Rene Russo. Obviously not everyone’s cup of tea, but those who take a sip better be prepared for lots of sugar.
OUR RATING— **