“The Intern” is one of the selected movies out there, which soothes your mind, gives a sense of peace in it, makes you feel more calm and embrace little precious moments in your life, whether you are quite busy in your young age or become bored after your retirement- maybe even waiting for your death(like we usually point old people- he/she still alive in 70’s, 80’s or 90’s…).
The story here began with the man named Ben Whitaker in his 70’s who is living his life in Brooklyn after retirement as a widower. Guess the actor who played this role- Robert De-Niro, an actor par excellence. Often the character played by him on screens spoke more through emotions rather than words, and this movie is a solid testimony of that. After retirement, Ben had got much time on his hands, which he usually spends by reading books, playing golf, watching movies, doing yoga, learning Mandarin, and the list goes on. With all time & enough money in his pocket, he use both to traveled across the globe. Often he attends the funeral ceremonies of his loving mates and relatives of same age, who had died. He also usually visit his son’s loving family, based in San-Diego. After having all good/bad experiences, he had gone through his life, Ben still at this stage feels a hole in it, which needs to be fulfilled. I guess that hole is the lack of his importance among others, especially younger generation. The desire to be important is the deepest urge in human nature, craving to be appreciated. For that feeling to be fulfilled, a person whether young or old, could do anything to garner some genuine appreciation for it, that’s all. That what drives us to do contribute something valuable to this world. Same is with Ben, who in 70’s is still looking for something, that will keep him moving in same pace with today generation, keeping him more enthusiastic and still reliable for anyone. One day, he finds an ad for Senior Intern program in a startup company based in his hometown Brooklyn, who sells cloths online through Internet. A golden opportunity that he was looking for, he send his profile straightway to this company with a short video resume, where he explains himself with this beautiful quote (worthy to be mentioned) here:
“Musicians don’t retire, they stop when there’s no more music in them. Well I still have music in me, absolutely positive about that”
During interview, which were very casual here, stills finds themselves in awkward situation during interview with older attendees, like what was your major in college graduation- do you remember, the relevance of your past work in today’s world or the most funny one- where do you sees yourself in 10 years. Amidst all these things, Ben tackle all these with his great sense of humor and gentle personality, successfully grabs this opportunity and finally entered this fast growing internet cloth selling company as a Senior Intern recruit. So with his old age habit of preparedness, he checked everything before night like setting alarm, shoes well polished, well ironed suit for his next first day morning as an Intern for a company. And finally next morning, Ben entered the whole new world- well dressed in a suit with a briefcase in his hand, he got introduced to the company with bunch of three other interns. Thereafter Ben got appointed to work directly with Jules Ostin- CEO & Founder of this company.
Jules Ostin (played by actress Anne Hathaway, remember cat woman in the “The Dark Knight Rises” ) is the lady behind the vision of this fast growing Internet company, who devoted last 2 years of her life to make this company grow big with 220 employees today. An ambitious private person with super busy schedule to catch up with every important work, Jules is usually not good to balance her life. Due to his professional life, she often got less sleep, improper food routine and probably less time for her personal life. Her husband had sacrificed his career, so that he could take care of their only daughter as full time male-mom, so that Jules could achieve what she deserves in her professional career that she has built so far.
Ben introduced himself as an intern in front of Jules(in 20’s), his boss with a slight humor in it, which she liked it. She persuade him, that he should transferred himself to another department, as it would be more good for him, compared to working for her. Describing herself as not so like-able to work with, Ben convinces Jules that he could work with anyone, so not really interested to work in another department. Finally both reached on same consensus, and then she told Ben that she would mail him, if there is any work for him. And so Ben waits for her call then.
Pretty caught up in her work schedule, she had a very little attention to her new Intern Ben. But Ben is there in office only for Jules to help her with anything she needs to. With no messages in his mailbox, Ben usually spent his spare times in office by getting evolved with other colleagues in the office, giving helping hands to anyone in need, and thus being liked by everyone there. Especially, everyone in office admires him because of his generosity to everyone. But personally, Ben admires his younger boss Jules, who as a female has handles such a great business with her whole dedication and precise subtlety to it. Then he also being worried about its impact on her personal life. Ben feels that he could probably help her in maintaining a good balance life for her . In first few days Jules remain uncomfortable with his observant nature for her, and asked her colleague to transfer him to other department.
One night Jules were working alone in office with Ben waiting for her, both get familiar by starting conversation about their personal life. Jules also helped him open his Facebook account, and made herself as his first Facebook friend. That night she actually feels the warmth of his calm nature. She also realizes that his presence makes her more centered and calm, which she could use that. So Jules appoints Ben to work closely with her on Sales & Purchasing department. Slowly Jules began to enjoy his companionship very well, but in reality Jules needed Ben more than Ben could imagine. But the good thing is that, Ben is always there for Jules. There is one instance where Ben feels little tired after reaching office, and Jules asked him:
Jules: That’s why you haven’t looked at me once since I came over here, because you are tired. to which Ben graciously replied: I am looking at you.
Jules is facing her marriage falling apart because of his husband cheating her with other girl, and her company investors gave her an option to choose potential CEO for the company, which thereafter feels her insecure. As a private nature, she really needs someone who could understand her dilemma, and help her in taking decisive hard decisions for her life. And luckily Ben is there to help her. Now let’s see as a viewer as how Ben helps her manage professional & personal life with good outcomes which she really deserves, after everything she had gone through. It is really good to see a attitude change in a small section of society, where female is leading a professional life of her choice, and the male counterpart is helping her achieve her dreams by undertaking household responsibilities as full time dad(conventionally mom). But conventionally we also neglect older generation in modern world, thinking that their ideas/perspective is of no use. But the main drill here is that whether we are living & working in a high cutting technology- cut throat competitive driven world, every individual person at a moment of time feel insecure in his/her life. Having an adult conversation and sharing your problems with older generation, say your dad is something that we usually neglect/hesitate to do . These people have come a long way up to this age, with lots of struggle in it. I guess it is not bad idea to actually seek the advise of older people, who may have learn some valuable lessons after going through same situation as you are in current. Actually our perception of older generation people is old, which needs to be changed for us to be really considered as smart people. And for older people, I guess below quote is the best to explain your inner conscience:
There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. – Sophia Loren
Adios amigos….
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