The Intern, 2015 — SCREENPLAY COVERAGE EXAMPLE

I adore this movie.

 I love films about startups. I love stories about people building something from nothing. And I am deeply moved by the idea of working after retirement — not because you need money, but because you need meaning.

The Intern touches something very personal for me. It is about purpose. About relevance. About dignity at any age.

I write this screenplay coverage because I genuinely love analyzing films and breaking them down into structure, character arcs, and emotional logic. For me, film analysis is not only a professional habit but also a powerful learning instrument on how story works.

The film received generally positive reviews from audiences and mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. Viewers loved the warmth, charm, and chemistry between Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Some critics found it predictable and emotionally safe. But that “safety” is exactly what makes it comforting and commercially successful.

Let’s dive in.

🎬 SCREENPLAY COVERAGE

Title: The Intern

Genre: Comedy / Drama

Tone: Warm, light, character-driven, emotionally sincere

Rating: PG-13

1. LOG LINE

A 70-year-old widower joins a fast-growing online fashion startup as a senior intern and unexpectedly becomes an emotional anchor for the company’s young, overworked CEO.

2. GENRE & TONE

The film blends workplace comedy with emotional drama.

Tone is:

Optimistic

Gentle

Mature

Comfort-driven

There is no villain. The conflict is internal and relational, not external or antagonistic. Stakes are emotional, not physical.

3. TARGET AUDIENCE & MARKET POSITION

Target audience:

Adults 25–60

Professionals

Women balancing career and family

Viewers who enjoy feel-good films

Market position:

Mid-budget studio dramedy with strong star power. It fits into the category of intelligent, character-based commercial films.

4. STORY STRUCTURE (ACT ANALYSIS)

Act I — Setup

Ben Whittaker is a retired widower who feels empty despite financial stability. He applies for a “senior intern” program at an online fashion startup.

We meet Jules Ostin — ambitious, stressed CEO of About The Fit.

Inciting Incident: Ben is hired.

Plot Point I: Ben officially joins the chaotic startup environment.

The worlds collide: old-school professionalism meets millennial startup culture.

Act II — Confrontation

Ben struggles to find his place but slowly wins over colleagues.

He becomes Jules’ driver, assistant, and emotional confidant.

Midpoint: Ben becomes essential to Jules personally.

Second half of Act II: Jules faces pressure from investors to hire an external CEO. At the same time, her husband is having an affair.

Plot Point II: Jules decides to hire a CEO, thinking it will fix her marriage and reduce pressure.

Act III — Resolution

Ben reminds Jules that the company is her creation.

Matt confesses his mistake and wants to repair the marriage.

Jules reclaims control and decides to remain CEO.

Climax: She chooses herself and her company.

Resolution: Balance is restored — not perfectly, but honestly.

5. PROTAGONIST ARC (CHARACTER JOURNEY)

Although Ben appears to be the protagonist, the true arc belongs to Jules.

Ben’s Arc:

From loneliness → to purpose.

He learns that age does not remove relevance.

Jules’ Arc:

From control & exhaustion → to vulnerability & self-acceptance.

She learns she does not need to shrink to save her marriage.

6. SECONDARY CHARACTERS & FUNCTION

Matt (husband): Represents fragile male identity in a reversed success dynamic.

Fiona: Symbol of late-life romance and vitality.

Startup team: Represents generational shift.

Investors: External pressure mechanism.

Each secondary character reflects one aspect of Jules’ internal conflict.

7. THEME & MESSAGE

Primary Theme:

Purpose has no age limit.

Secondary Themes:

Female leadership and guilt

Marriage under power imbalance

Generational respect

Work as identity

The film argues that competence and kindness are timeless values.

8. DIALOGUE

The dialogue is natural, modern, and layered with:

Slang (“nuts”, “booze”)

Idioms (“sleep on it”, “add up”, “call the shots”)

Startup language (“fit”, “CEO”, “investors”)

These expressions help show generational contrast and emotional subtext.

Ben speaks formally and politely.

Jules speaks fast, anxious, fragmented.

Dialogue reveals character psychology more than plot information.

9. VISUAL STORYTELLING

Open office vs. Ben’s calm apartment

Fast movement vs. stillness

Clean tailoring vs. chaotic startup energy

Costume design visually separates generations.

Cars symbolize control and status.

The warehouse scene visually proves Jules’ hands-on leadership.

10. PACING & RHYTHM

The pacing is steady and comfortable.

No heavy twists.

Emotional beats drive rhythm.

Act II slows intentionally to deepen relationships.

Climax is quiet, not explosive.

This is a character film, not a plot-driven film.

11. ORIGINALITY & COMPARABLES

The concept (retired intern) is fresh but emotionally classic.

Comparable films include:

The Devil Wears Prada

Julie & Julia

Chef

Up in the Air

It combines workplace comedy with emotional maturity.

12. STRENGTHS

Strong chemistry between leads

Clear emotional arc

Commercial accessibility

Warm tone

Relatable themes

13. WEAKNESSES

Predictable structure

Low external stakes

Some conflicts resolve too easily

Husband’s arc feels simplified

14. OVERALL IMPRESSION

This is not a groundbreaking film.

It is a comforting one.

It works because it respects both ambition and tenderness.

It shows that success and humanity are not opposites.

For screenwriters, it is an excellent case study in:

Character-driven structure

Clean three-act construction

Emotional payoff without melodrama

15. FINAL VERDICT

Commercially smart.

Structurally solid.

Emotionally sincere.

A warm dramedy that proves that relevance, dignity, and purpose do not expire with age.

And personally — I will always rewatch it.

WANT THE SAME KIND OF SCREENPLAY ANALYSIS?

If you would like the same type of professional screenplay coverage — with a clear breakdown of structure, character arcs, dialogue, and market positioning — you can book a consultation.

I work with writers who want to understand how their story truly functions, not just receive surface-level notes.

I can help you:

→ identify what works and what doesn’t in your script

→ strengthen story structure and character arcs

→ clarify theme, stakes, and emotional logic

→ prepare your screenplay for producers, contests, and pitching

Book your consultation on this website.