The Intern – feminist reflections again

It is strange how I go to see movies more in Sydney than in Gdansk. Similar movies, often even the same, cheaper tickets but I saw only one film in three month during my stay in Poland. I went to a theatre play once but this is in no relation to the frequency with which I go to see movies in Sydney. I have been here three weeks and I have seen Holding the Man and The Intern, and I am planning to see Walking in the Woods later this week.

 I have been encouraged to see The Intern by another blogger and his post. Ramana and I write about the film from different perspectives but we both liked the film a lot. This is in spite of the film not at all being ranked high by critics. I watched the review by The Guardian critics and I heard – the film is crushingly bad! I thought that the review by the three men was crushingly arrogant, in fact. It is a feel good film, fun and light, absorbing and amusing. This is in my book a good film and The Intern definitely serves its purpose to amuse and not only that.

The Guardian critics argue that the film puts women in a bad light, makes them look silly because they cry, they like to loose weight and they want to be loved. I see it differently. Yes, women are different to men in many ways. This is not a particularly deep observation. Is it bad that even if professionally successful, they cry sometimes? Do they really have to behave like men to be considered professional? I do not think so. We all can be ourselves even if most women were conditioned by our societies as well as men. That creates certain expectations. But people can be successful in their professions and deserve respect based on what and how they have achieved and not if they go on a diet or cry in moments of weakness, or swear or go to rugby matches for that matter. And who would like women and men behave the same way?

The film does not argue with stereotypes or wants to change them. I like that. This is not this type of a film. For example, it shows that men prefer younger women, like the hero of the film. Even though I accept this preference, I must say I found it a bit disturbing to watch the scenes with a woman more of Robert de Niro age being ridiculed and younger one making very obvious advances pictured in a positive light. I do not intend to make a big point here. I just noticed it as a little dissonance.