Retirement Tips & Life Lessons from the Movie, “The Intern”
Movies offer opportunities to escape into fantasy worlds and go on exciting adventures. They also may tap into real world situations that touch personal life experiences. Those movies with more relatable plots can inspire, open hearts and even leave audiences with strong emotions far beyond showtime.
One of these movies is “The Intern.”
“The Intern” is a funny, heart-warming, 2015 comedy starring a strange yet perfectly matched duo: Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. The film is about a complacent widower and business retiree, Ben Whitaker (played by Robert De Niro), who has a newfound happiness after stumbling upon a senior citizen internship program at a fashion start-up company run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway’s character).
The film touches on many real-life struggles, including the difficult adjustments seniors face in losing loved ones, slowing down and transitioning into retirement. It highlights the challenges and sacrifices parents make to balance career and family. And, it magnifies the hardships of working moms who juggle many roles as wife, mom and entrepreneur/business woman.
Robert De Niro’s warm and loving character is the hallmark of the film. He is a calm listener and observer who inspires, teaches and proves that “experience never gets old.”
This touching film teaches many life lessons for seniors:
Surround yourself with the old AND young: Younger people can make you feel young and vibrant again. They can introduce you to new things and experiences. Additionally, you can share your wisdom with them, which can be mutually beneficial as it helps build your confidence and tap into nostalgia.
Keep challenging yourself: Albert Einstein’s quote, “Once you stop learning, you start dying,” has truth to it. Never stop learning and pushing yourself. Every opportunity, positive or negative, teaches you a lesson that will make you a stronger person.
Seek new adventures and experiences: Explore new things, activities, people, hobbies, etc. You’re never too old for a new experience. And, you just might find a new path in life along the way.
The next time you’re in the mood to watch a movie, don’t overlook “The Intern.” Not only is the film entertaining, but it also reminds us that age is simply a number and life has no limit on new opportunities. Keep learning as if you’re the intern!
Natalie Drugan
Natalie Drugan is a nutrition and lifestyle health coach. Natalie is dedicated to helping others make healthy choices centered on clean food, toxic-free environments and happy living. Natalie received her nutrition health coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC, the world’s largest nutrition school. As a Certified Nutrition Health Coach, she studied over 100 dietary theories and learned from world-renowned experts and doctors including Andrew Weil, MD, Walter Willet, MD, Mark Hyman, MD and Deepak Chopra, MD. Natalie is board certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). Additionally, Natalie received her BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University.