FILM REVIEW | The Internship

 Billy (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Owen Wilson) are the last of their kind – door-to-door salesmen – trying to make their mark in the sales industry. But when their final sale turns out to be a final bust, the two ex-salesmen find themselves out of luck, until “Google-ing” doesn’t become an option, but rather an opportunity.

When Billy scores Nick and himself a spot on the Google Internship program, the summer has been set with one goal: land a job at Google. Working (and competing) with the best-of-the-best college student for one of the most sought after job in the country, Billy and Nick need to do what they do best: relate with people – not only learn from the best, but also teach those who need to believe that they are the best.

The Story

It’s really a collision of generations. It's a movie where the "Baby Boomers" enter the world of “Gen Y”. Billy and Nick find themselves in a world where information is at the tip of people’s fingers; where communication is as instant as pressing a button; and where the American Dream has been contained as just that – a dream.

I loved the generational collision in this film. There’s a playfulness of “you’re too old to get what we’re doing” and “you’re too young to get anything I’m saying”. It’s got a Grown Ups vibe to it in terms of that element of wisdom being passed down through generations of lessons about growing up and having grown up and what that means in this present age.

It’s a story that really takes you in from the beginning. Old or young, this movie suits anyone who’s ever had a hard time finding a job or is worrying about his or her future. Not gonna lie, kinda makes you wanna apply for your own spot as an intern at the most popular search engines.

The Cast

Vince Vaughn – Billy is the “ideals” man of the partnership. He has the big dreams, big ideas and thinks future track. The down side is that he never gets there; there are little things that stop him from getting there, and too often it’s those big dreams that don’t follow through with logical procedures. Vaughn has this lovable quality that allows him to portray this character. There’s an endearing attribute that he has and places in his characters that allow you to love him and feel for his character when it doesn’t work out. Kudos buddy!

Owen Wilson – Nick is the “heart” of the partnership. He relates to people by attempting to get to know them and see the best in them. I like the fact that he was the rock of the relationship and that he never gives up on his friend and their team. When Wilson brings his characters to life, there’s a nice-ness in him that makes you believe the struggles and the victories that happens in the character’s journey. Hats off to you mate!

Josh Brener – Lyle is the junior manager at Google who hasn’t found his feet in the work environment just yet. He knows the company inside and out, but isn’t confident in himself as a person as he is about his efforts behind his computer screen. Brener was adorable and hilarious all at once. He played that lovably awkward nerd that you feel sorry for and root for to get his dream girl.

Max Minghella – Graham is the typical bully on the playground that’s over compensating for something. Minghella has taken his role in The Social Network and really pushed it to its limits to produce the perfect villain for everyone to hate. All movies need one and I’m glad Graham was believable and not too evil.

Dylan O’Brien, Tiya Sircar and Tobit Raphael – Stuart, Neha and Yo-Yo are Nick’s and Billy’s fellow teammates on “Team Lyle” – aka. Team Leftovers. Stuart is the, “too-cool-for-school” nerd; Neha is the “fantasy” nerd; and Yo-Yo is the “overachiever-with-mama-issues” nerd. Not fitting-in with anyone else, this team has been put together to work with each other for a spot at Google after their senior year. The dynamic between O’Brien, Sicar and Raphael is hilarious, believable and realistic. Playing three 21-year-olds with different agendas of being “Nooglers” contrasted with Vaughn’s and Wilson’s seasoned work ethics just creates such a vibrant portrayal of the generational collision.

Rose Byrne – Dana is one of Google’s senior managers who has “lost time” to find love at the expense of her career. Using her Aussie accent (and doing us Aussies proud!) to show Google’s diversity, it was nice to hear a familiar accent. Playing the hard-to-get-forbidden-fruit for Wilson’s character, Byrne portrayed a woman that wasn’t easily wooed, but allowed herself to let loose for one date to make up for the 10 years that she lost working hard for Google. I thought having a love interest for one of the protagonist was a nice cliché to show that all jobs have their costs – even at Google.

Aasif Mandvi – Mr Chetty is the top dog at Google in regards to the internship program. Mandvi was an incredible overseer of the program as well as the giving the odd cynical comment about Billy’s and Nick’s efforts throughout the internship. Mandvi’s character offered a more serious aspect of the film, yet only enough to make some scenes just as comical as the majority of the film.

OVERALL

It’s hilarious, light-hearted and great for all ages. You will be laughing most of the time so be prepared for a loud cinema! I have nothing more to say than: GO SEE IT.

 sL Star Rating: 5 Stars

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