Film Review - The Intern

 

Yes Boss

Film: The Intern

Cast: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo

Directed by: Nancy Meyers

Duration: 2 hrs

Rating: * * * * 

“How is it that you always say the right, do the right thing?” asks Anne Hathaway who plays Jules the owner of a flourishing e-commerce portal, of Ben a 70 year old, who is her intern. He is punctual, dresses impeccably, never frowns and always has a smile on his face and always has something nice to say. And he always carries a handkerchief – not because he needs it but somebody else might. 

Ben is that kind of a character – he is cooler than the coolest uncle you know and could well be the most pleasant man to be around on this planet.  

Director Nancy Meyers has given us a few lightweight enjoyable films (The Parent Trap, Something’s Gotta Give, The Holiday) and with The Intern she scores once again as it has a high quotient of the feel-good factor.  It is the characters and their wonderful chemistry that make The Intern such a delight.

Ben (De Niro) is a widower who is enjoying a retired life. Out of curiosity and challenge, he applies at an e-commerce portal since they are looking for senior interns. He is assigned to the boss Jules, a self made woman who is rather quirky and private. 

You know the film will follow the predictable arc – after the initial vacillation Jules and Ben will form an endearing relationship, with his wisdom he’ll also help her sort out her problems. The enchantment of the film lies in the manner in which all of this unfolds. Plus there are the supporting characters in the office who add to the zing and Rene Russo, who plays the in-house masseuse and the romantic feeling between her and Ben is mutual.

Meyers who has also written the screenplay also touches upon the present and the past generation in a very pleasant manner. Ben for instance likes to come to work in his suit and carries a good old fashioned attaché. At the same time, he is not a technophobe like many others of his generation.  He likes to move on and there is a lesson in there for everyone.

While Jules is a remarkable lady in her own right, it is her interactions with Ben that reveal more about her. Outwardly, she is a tough cookie but deep down, she is a soft person.

We know what a fine actor Robert De Niro is but here his performance exceeded expectations. He adds a different dimension to the character to Ben. The talented Anne Hathaway also matches him at every step –in fact she has to portray a wider range of expressions which she does so well.

The Intern is as heartwarming as a modern day film can get. 

Published in The Navhind Times on 27th Sept. 2015
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Film Review - Grudge Match

Old But Not Gold

Film: Grudge Match

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Kim Bassinger

Directed by: Peter Segal

Duration: 1 hr 52mins

Rating: * *

Recently we saw Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger come together in Escape Plan but the movie turned out to be so-so. Now the prospect of two actors like Stallone and De Niro together in one film that too with a boxing story (Rocky vs Raging Bull) is also exciting but unfortunately it doesn’t go beyond that hoopla.

 The basic outline of two aging rival boxers coming out of retirement has some promise as far as the story is concerned but the screenplay is very ordinary and has too many clichés.

Stallone plays a retired boxer named Razor (whatever happened to normal names? ) and his one time rival was The Kid (De Niro). They won one match a piece during their previous encounters and now Razor is in need of money so he is coaxed by a promoter to have a deciding match even though both the boxers are no longer a part of the sport. 

Kim Basinger plays Razor’s love interested who cheated on him by having an affair with his rival so there is emotional drama in it as well but it doesn’t hold any value.The story appears very artificial with no depth to speak of. The point about family bonding is a drag and even the boxing match doesn’t hold much interest.

The only reason you might want to watch the film is because of the two lead actors. And if you do, make sure you stay till the end credits roll, the best part of the film, a cameo, is during the credits.

 Published in The Navhind Times on 12th Jan 2014

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Film Review - Last Vegas

For Old Times Sake

Film: Last Vegas

Cast: Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline

Directed by: Jon Turtletaub

Duration: 1 hr 45 mins

Rating: * * 1 / 2

Last Vegas is a film that sails through only and only because it has a set of actors whom we’ve loved watching over the years. Replace them with a younger cast and there will be nothing to write home about as far as this film is concerned because the story is no great shakes.

A bunch of guys, four to be precise have grown up being best friends. Now in their 60’s, they all have their own problems to deal with. Archie (Morgan Freeman) who has a few health issues lives with his over caring and married son. Paddy (De Niro) has become a lonesome man after the death of his wife and there were some issues between him and their other friend Billy (Michael Douglas), a successful man who is all set to marry a woman who is in her early 30’s. That leaves Sam (Kevin Kline) who has knee problems not to mention his titanium hip but also has a carte blanche from his to do anything in Vegas.

All four of them head to Vegas for Billy’s bachelor party and while they are looking for a good time, the ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’ type, couple of them fall for a charming singer Diana (Mary Steenburgen) bringing back memories of the past.

While there are some funny lines on the whole the script never rises above the ordinary. But what keeps the film going is the charm and the chemistry of the four actors. Even when there is the odd dull moment they manage to steer the boat clear. 

There is no clear standout performance as far as these four actors of considerable repute are concerned; they all have their moments in the film. They make this otherwise average film watchable. 

Published in the Navhind Times on 15th Dec 2013

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Film Review - Malavita

Married To The Mob

Film: Malavita (The Family)

Cast: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer

Directed by: Luc Besson

Duration: 1 hr 51 mins

Rating: *  *  1 / 2

            The film has three big names associated with – Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer in the acting department and Martin Scorsese as the producer. You would expect something spectacular from this collaboration but unfortunately that is not to be. Malavita aka The Family directed by Luc Besson turns out to be a very ordinary affair and those three names could have well been substituted with some Tom, Dick and Jane and that would have made little difference to film. 

           De Niro and Pfeiffer play a couple that has moved with their family to France under the witness protection program. They are the Manzonis, he was a gangster but now they have a new name, Blake. She is bored of moving from one place to another while he has discovered a new passion, to write his memoirs. Their kids go to school and have the usual troubles - the son is bullied by other kids while the daughter falls in love with a young man.  

            Meanwhile the mob is looking for the gangster all over the world and the climax is very predictable. Pfeiffer and De Niro are always a treat to watch but the film on the whole, as very little going in its favor. 

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