My husband and I are movie fanatics; we always enjoy going to the theater or renting a new movie on demand. The Intern is a film I have grown to love, and I would say I watch it regularly. It opened my eyes to how others view older people in the work force. The premise, Robert DeNiro is a seventy-year-old widower who is pretty well off but realizes he wants to do more with his life than just be retired and go to funerals. He signs up for a senior intern outreach program where he finds a job at an up and coming online fashion company. Anne Hathaway plays CEO of the business and has trouble giving Ben (DeNiro) tasks because she questions his age and competence. As the movie continues, Jules (Hathaway) realizes how much she has learned from his wisdom and begins to value him as part of the company. There are a few LOL moments, especially when Ben is introduced to Facebook, but he gets to understand the technology world and realizes that the Internet has given Jules an incredible career to support her family.
“Employers may indeed look negatively as old-age job applicants for various reasons, many of which are myths. It is a myth, for example, that the old can’t learn new things or won’t be as productive. On the other hand, experience can be a positive factor for men in applying for a job” (Harris, 2011, p. 30). By just assuming that someone’s age causes them to have difficulty with learning new techniques and strategies in a technology filled world will diminish equity. We may find out more from our elders in the workforce, and we can also teach them some things along the way.
Watching the movie, you begin to realize how hard working this seventy-year-old man is and Jules could not be bothered. She continues to make jokes about his age, will not give him a real task to perform at the office, besides cleaning up after other interns. But the movie takes a turn, and they begin to realize that they both help one another. They begin to work together very closely, and the company starts to take off again. Not only are they colleagues but they become real friends who rely on one another. Seeing how Ben was treated in the beginning made me think of what people would think when hiring my father and his company to do construction. He is sixty-five years old and refuses to leave the jobs up to his employees. He works at every work site and is just an amazing craftsman. Do people hire him because he has the experience or do people not want to hire him because of his age? I now want to pay closer attention to his jobs and estimate consultations to see how others perceive my father.
By Jules giving Ben more jobs to handle and realizes how helpful he truly is to his company was heartwarming. I will admit I sometimes judge the old drive behind the wheel of a car, and sometimes even become annoyed. But we will all get to where we have to be. I am in no rush and honestly; they are keeping me safe in my vehicle without going over the speed limit. Ageism is just another way for us to judge other individuals and I am honestly trying to make a change for the better, this class has allowed me to realize the person I was to the person I am and to the person I want to be.
Reference:
Harris, S. (2011, Winter). Do Not Let Them Know You Are Old. Retrieved from
Hi Nicole, I heard f=great things about this movie and I will watch it, I never thought of someones age affecting them towards prejudice
ReplyDeleteI see clearly now. Thanks for sharing.
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog. Prior to enrolling in class, I had a life too, I was able to watch television and movies too 😊 This movie, was on my list of "must sees" but time has not permitted. I think I will make time.
Nicole when I read about ageism I immediately thought of The Intern. I love the movie! My mother in law is 62 and just got a new job this year. She works for the military hospital. She has been there many years, but recently put in for a promotion and got it. She has got to be one of the hardest working people I know. She has said that the hardest thing for her has been learning the technology. She has a Facebook and sometimes she randomly shares my photos. It's funny to me, but I also admire her for taking the time to learn something new.
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