The Internship ~ 'Intern-esting' Cinema Review

Yesterday I was lucky enough to see a free early screening of +The Internship through Show Film First (Two days before release!). Something The Controller and myself had been looking forward to seeing since seeing the initial trailer. The hype and internet chatter surrounding this film has been quite damming touting it as Google advertising and a failed Wedding Crashers sequel.

Yes it is a film about Google (big hand clap for those that worked that one out!), but so was the 2007 film Google Me and I don't remember anyone decrying it. Most films revolve around a product, place or even a sport, and seriously who really cares or even notices any more. We could say 1949 film 'On The Town' was blatant advertising for New York, but perhaps I'm over reacting to the other reviewers over-reactions . Perhaps I missed it, but I'm pretty sure The Social Network wasn't dismissed for being free +Facebook advertising, in fact it received eight +Academy Awards  nominations and won three.

The story revolves around two old school salesmen ( +Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson) trying to find work in a modern world, where their skills are dismissed as unnecessary and outdated. It takes it to the extreme of the computer world with Google, which makes for a jarring comparison from their previous employment. Groups of interns do battle through various challenges to win the right to become interns with Google, and potential employment.The challenges range from computer programming, to sales and even feature Quidditch, the geek references fly from the younger cast, enhancing the age gap between the group of interns.

In short its an traditional underdogs tale, with the standard sports team being replaced by a collective group of outcasts, and on the way they discover the positive impact of team work and including the different viewpoints. Highlighting the need for human interaction in a world that survives in an isolated online existence, the bumbling characters are brash and make for a distinct clash with the surrounding young technology wielding potential interns.

The romance angle is covered lightly and follows the humour with out taking over or detracting from the film. There is time made to get to know each character, and follow their improvements. Lyle (Josh Brener)
mentors the motley group with his nervous geeky rapping outbursts subsiding into likeable conversation as the film continues. Neha, played by Tiya Sircar, has a great role as the girl who knows everything and has done it all, even if it was only ever online and in her fantasy's.

The bespectacled Stuart (Dylan O'Brien) puts across a great performance as a cynical internet living nerd, who struggles to see reality through anything other than technology, (a complete departure from his bumbling character in Teen Wolf, Stiles.) For me the stand out scenes involve Yo-Yo Santos (Tobit Raphael) the paranoid eye brow plucking mummy's boy and the epic quote: 'My mum hits harder than you do'.

The cameo of an irritating and unfunny +Will Ferrell was completely outclassed by the 80's references, especially the trunk load of Flashdance motivational pep talks.

Well I for one, loved the Wedding Crashers (to which this is being constantly compared), Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson being in a film together can only
spell traditional light hearted comedy. The Internship highlights the need for human interaction in a world that survives in an isolated online existence.The bumbling characters are brash and make for a distinct clash with the surrounding young technology wielding potential interns. It didn't disappoint; with solid acting, a good story line and a relaxed look at the tech savvy world through the eyes of two old fashioned traditionalists.

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For those of you that follow me; you might notice that this post has been a little short on cinema moaning, so just for you:
The  Odeon at Wester Hailes in Edinburgh is hidden away in a tangle of dangerous looking flats, but the parking for it is beyond belief Unlike most other cinemas, this has been built with that staple clearly in mind.
Public transport also has been catered for with bus-stops under a minute from the front door. The staff were friendly but with £14 for 3 drinks and a popcorn, it felt more like Dick Turpin grinning back at us! There was a pool table nestled beside the pick-n-mix, such a simple idea for killing time but fantastic all the same. The seats could do with a little cushioning, (after 2 hours I could still walk but the numbness was unbelievable!) and there was no step lighting in the screen at all. Despite narrowly avoiding sitting on a couple of peoples laps in the darkness, I would chose to go back here again.