Amid a sea of young professionals glued to their MacBooks, sipping almond milk lattes, and rocking sneakers with blazers, Ben Whittaker, the intern who doesn’t need Slack to know how to communicate, enters. Ben doesn’t just blend in—he stands out. The man has experience, and by the end of two hours, you wish you had a Ben in your office.

Ben, a 70-year-old retired widower, in the popular film The Intern steps into a vibrant, fast-paced startup as the oldest intern on the team, giving us a crash course in leadership, trust, and the power of building relationships across generations. 

The Intern isn’t just a feel-good movie, it’s a workplace masterpiece that feels like a warm hug and a pep talk rolled into one. If you’ve ever been in HR, you’ll find yourself nodding, laughing, and maybe tearing up (we won’t judge). So, grab your popcorn (or may be kale chips, we don’t know your vibe) and let’s talk about why this movie deserves an 'Employee of the Month' plaque on your streaming list.

Ben: The Ultimate Workplace Legend

Do you remember your first day at work? Sweaty palms, awkward introductions, pretending you understand the office jargon? Well, now imagine stepping into a startup at 70. Yep, Ben Whittaker, the retired widower, is sent into Jules Ostin’s cutting-edge e-commerce fashion company as the oldest intern ever. Now, the startup vibe isn’t exactly ‘gather the team for lunch’ vibes, but Ben isn’t thrown off. Nope, this guy’s got a leather briefcase, business cards, and a tough attitude that some how makes you want to cheer him on. Can you picture yourself doing this? What a flex! At first, Jules, the CEO, isn’t exactly sold on Ben being in the mix. In fact, she barely notices him. But Ben, with his quiet confidence, dives in. He doesn’t make a spectacle—he just rolls up his sleeves, gets to work, and somehow…wins everyone over.

Jules’ ‘Take No Prisoners’ Leadership and the Art of Doing It All

Jules is the kind of CEO who answers her own emails, bikes through Brooklyn to avoid traffic, and still finds time to criticise the way someone staples papers. She’s a perfectionist, and honestly, who can blame her? Running a company is hard.

But there’s this one scene—iconic, really—where Jules realises she might be doing too much. It’s when Ben casually points out that her driver is falling asleep while waiting for her outside meetings. Ouch. That’s the thing about Ben—he’s never preachy, but his observations? Razor-sharp. His wisdom is basically a mirror to every manager out there who thinks they need to be everything to their team.

You can’t help but laugh when Jules, trying to be polite, says, “That’s sweet of you to notice.” Sweet? Ben isn’t sweet—he’s strategic. He sees the cracks before they become canyons. And isn’t that what we all need in our chaotic work lives? A Ben who gently reminds us to breathe and, you know, sleep. Ben doesn’t just come in as the older intern; he becomes the person who quietly points out, “Hey, maybe you don’t need to do it all.” Jules? She eventually gets the memo and realises—sometimes, letting go is the key to real success.

When Ben became the Office Grandpa we all need

Let’s talk about the adorable friendship between Ben and his younger colleagues. There’s Davis, the office bro who doesn’t own a suit, and Jason, the intern manager who has no idea how to manage interns. When Jason tries to give Ben a 'pep talk' about work, you can almost hear the gears in Ben’s head turning: Bless this child.

But Ben doesn’t laugh—he listens. He even teaches Davis how to fold a pocket square! This scene is peak wholesome vibes, especially when Davis gets emotional about how dapper he looks. And let’s not forget when Ben organises Jules’ chaotic desk without being asked. “I just straightened up a bit,” he says, like it’s no big deal. But let’s be real, we’ve all wished for a magical co-worker who would Marie Kondo our workspace.

‘Everyone Needs a Ben in Their Life’ Moment

Now, the turning point: Jules finds out her husband is having an affair. Cue the emotional rollercoaster. She’s a boss lady who seems to have it all together, but her world is crumbling. Enter Ben with his calm, steady presence. He doesn’t give her a pep talk about ‘being strong’ or ‘moving on.’ Nope, he just listens, hands her a drink, and lets her vent.

And then there’s that scene where Ben drives Jules to confront her husband. Can we talk about how this man is not just an intern but also her unofficial therapist and bodyguard? Jules even asks, “Why are you being so nice to me?” And Ben, in his infinite wisdom, replies, “Because you’re my boss, and I care.” Excuse us while we ugly cry.

The Heist of the Century: Deleting an Email

If you don’t remember the email heist scene, did you even watch The Intern? Jules accidentally sends a snarky email to her mother, and the team scrambles to break into her house and delete it. It’s chaotic, ridiculous, and downright hilarious.

Ben is the mastermind, of course, and his calm under pressure is the stuff of legends. The way he smoothly handles the situation while everyone else panics? Chef’s kiss. HR takeaway? Sometimes, you just need a team that’s willing to break into a house for you. (Just kidding. Please don’t break any laws.)

The Ending That Feels Like a Group Hug

By the end of the movie, Jules learns to trust her team, delegate, and maybe—just maybe—enjoy life a little more. Ben? He’s the hero we didn’t know we needed, proving that experience, kindness, and a good suit never go out of style.

As the credits roll, you’ll find yourself wishing your office had a Ben. Someone who doesn’t just clock in and out but genuinely cares about the people he works with. Someone who folds pocket squares, straightens desks, and listens when you need it most.

Pivot Like Jules, Plan Like Ben: Embrace Change and Lead with Purpose

What can HR professionals take away from this? Well, The Intern isn’t just a story about an unlikely intern—it’s about adapting, evolving, and making the most of what you’ve got. More so, The Intern for a masterclass in pivoting. Jules learns to let go of micromanagement and embrace trust. Meanwhile, Ben pivots from retired widower to indispensable intern - proving that experience and a fresh perspective can make all the difference in a modern workplace. Together, they show us that adapting to change isn’t about doing it alone—it’s about finding your team, building relationships, and leaning into what’s next. 

Speaking of pivots, if you’re still wondering what’s next for your career or your organisation, why not join us at TechHR Singapore 2025? Let’s talk about what’s coming next in leadership, workplace dynamics, and how we can all make our next move.

People Matters TechHR Singapore 2025: Register Now | Download Delegate Brochure