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The Intern Deserves a Raise

Robert De Niro shines as a guy who ditches retirement

— in the new comedy, . Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. De Niro stars as Ben, a retired, widowed phone book company executive — yes, a man whose entire career was dedicated to producing something that's now as antiquated as a buggy whip. Desperate to stay busy, he signs up for a "senior internship" position with a thriving Brooklyn online fashion company run by Jules — a hard-driving young executive played to perfection by (she of the biggest eyes since Bambi). If feel-good movies are about wish fulfillment, then The Intern is a 50-plus worker's four-leaf clover, genie's lamp and rabbit's foot rolled into one. Almost immediately upon his arrival in the dot-com company's world of T-shirted, latte-swilling, skinny-jeaned millennials, Ben — resplendent in his suit and tie, proudly gripping his vintage briefcase — becomes a workplace icon. He sees sales patterns the kids miss. He advises his young male coworkers on how to impress a woman. He demonstrates the proper use of a handkerchief. Crucially, Ben also becomes the trusted confidant of company founder Jules, who's overwhelmed trying to balance her booming business, her neglected hubby () and her adorable daughter (, so cute she must be computer-generated). between these two, but sure-handed writer-director Meyers doesn't distract us with unlikely twists. Jules is married — how happily is a matter of debate — and Ben, though still mourning the death of his wife, quickly strikes up a low-burn relationship with the company's staff masseuse(!), played by a radiant if underutilized . The Intern has a lot on its plate. The film tackles and sexism in the workplace; ; marital pressures; ; corporate chicanery; and the infuriating way technology simultaneously links and divides us. (Jules frequently speaks by cellphone with her mother, voiced by , using that very phone to keep her mom at arm's length.) Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Somehow, though, the viewer never feels overstuffed. The issues flow one to another and frequently overlap, just as they do in real life. There are a few comically manic scenes, but for the most part The Intern's characters are not averse to stopping in their tracks and talking things out. You'll find not one villain in the film; the people who cause each other pain seem to do so without premeditation, and they all come around at the end to apologize for their thoughtlessness. If it's a slightly unrealistic view of the way we humans tend to resolve our differences, it's also a terrifically appealing one — and a lesson that movies all too seldom relay. One such scene, understated as it is, stands as the film's most memorable set piece: a long, soul-baring session between Jules and Ben in a hotel bed (the sweet, innocent way Meyers gets these two to share a mattress is a wonder to behold). In the quiet of the night they divulge their secrets, their regrets, their hopes. The moment feels so authentic it's almost embarrassing to listen in. At the end of their talk, as Jules drifts off to sleep, Ben watches misty-eyed as the TV plays that wonderful scene from where sings "" to a glowing Debbie Reynolds. Tears well up in Ben's eyes as the music swells. He's sad. And he's happy. He's conflicted. And he's determined. In that moment, we understand that life doesn't always compartmentalize itself. Neither does a fine movie. Bill Newcott is a writer, editor and movie critic for AARP Media. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS