Nancy Meyers wrote and directed The Intern. From Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt in What Women Want to Meryl Streep and Steve Martin in It’s Complicated to Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in Something’s Got To Give, Meyer blends relationship problems into a money-making souffle. In The Intern Robert De Niro plays a 70-year-old retiree named Ben who becomes a “Senior” intern at an Internet start-up company owned by Anne Hathaway’s character, Jules (who comes up with these names?). Jules has a Big Decision to make and sure enough, Ben helps her. But Jules also has relationship problems. Ben helps there, too. If you’ve seen any of Nancy Meyers’ movies, you know how all of these problems will shake out. GRADE: B
I bet the kitchens look great, huh? In everyone of her movies, I find myself forgetting the plot or characters and, instead, swooning over the dream kitchens! Say what you will about Nancy Meyers, she knows how to plug directly into the id of a “woman of a certain age”: open-floor plan, vintage dining table, hanging copper pots, huge skylights, enormous center preparation island with faucets and sink, ten-burner-restaurant-quality-dual-ovens Viking range, glass-fronted cabinets, polished granite countertops, terrazzo stone floors…
…now I need a cigarette (and I don’t even smoke!)
Deb, you are so right! Both the De Niro and Anne Hathaway characters have eye-popping kitchens and living spaces. Nancy Meyers knows how to push your buttons!
As a rule I don’t like her movies, period. SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE wasn’t bad because of Diane Keaton but otherwise, really not my taste. And Anne Hathaway really seems to be rubbing people the wrong way lately, not sure why.
Jeff, I have found Nancy Meyers’ movies to follow the same formula. But, her movies connect with that target audience and make money.
I read these posts just for Deb’s comments some days. I think Deb having her own blog would be a dream come true for me. Not that George doesn’t impress me too.
Patti, you are too kind! Yes, I’m sure Deb’s blog would be a “must-read” daily. And I read your blog every day, too!
George & Patti–Thank you for your kind words, but I know if I had a blog I’d grow to resent it because I’d feel obligated to write posts. I admire you two and Bill and all the other bloggers who can continue to blog on a regular basis–and, of course, I appreciate having the opportunity to make comments on those posts.
Deb, it’s commentators like you that make it fun to blog every day. You’re right: coming up with something new every day is challenging. Bill Crider and Patti far exceed my efforts. But, I try my best to give you and all the other readers of this blog a Fun Experience.
I’m not sure why people have a problem with Anne Hathaway, either, but she’s not getting a lot of love. I like her, though.
Bill, Anne Hathaway does a fine job in her role as an Internet entrepreneur in THE INTERN. I don’t understand all the hostility Tinsel Town vents on her, either.
Fairly or not, she comes across as brittle in interviews, and perceived attempts to become a trophy wife (hanging with some fast-and-loose…and indicted…financiers, for example) probably don’t help either. Otherwise, who knows? Not someone who just thinks she acts well and looks nice when she doesn’t go too heavy on the makeup (someone with such large features on a narrow face is in more danger of looking clownish than most). She’s not quite Sela Ward, Jr. nor Rachel Weisz’s sister from another mother, but she trips similar switches.
Todd, given the envy in La-La Land, I suspect Anne Hathaway’s success might have something to do with all the people complaining about her.
I think we’re going to have to hose Deb down!
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I’m just planning my dream kitchen for the day I win the Powerball (which now stands at over $250 million).
Deb, thanks for reminding me! I’ll have to pick up a couple POWERBALL tickets today. If I win the $250 million, you’ll get your dream kitchen gratis.
My mother had a smaller version of that kitchen, with the center island, hanging pots, etc. Considering how often we cook these days – almost never – it isn’t too practical for us.
George, I intend to watch the film. I have always liked De Niro though not so much in his recent roles.
Prashant, you will enjoy THE INTERN. Both De Niro and Anne Hathaway will charm you!
Re de Niro:My wife’s just watching “Meet the Fockers” (in Hungarian) – and right now there’s the scene when th little boy has learned the expression “a**hole -really funny.
But that film is so crazy …
Wolf, the sequel–LITTLE FOCKERS–is just as silly.
I had a high-school crush on a friend named Juliana, who at first was encouraging people to call her by her old nickname “Jules”…alas, I never got to be Jim. It happens.
Todd, I had a crush on a redhead in High School. But I was too shy to do anything about it. Ten years later, I married her.
Clearly, persistence has its rewards! Juliana is now a college professor (dodged a bullet there!) with a husband and son, so I think things are going OK for her…