Intern (2000) User Reviews (23)

Too inside

[Chris-195 · 3/10 · 29 April 2003]

A poorly made film made worse by the fact that so many of its jokes are so inside they will go over people's heads. Yes, I get the fashion jokes. It's not that I don't understand the setting. Instead, much of the humor feels like when someone just has to tell you about the funny thing that happened to them at work, the funny thing that is terribly unfunny once removed from the workplace.

I think Dominique Swain is generally better than the movies she gets stuck with, but even she is subpar in this film.

If you're fascinated by the fashion industry, it's worth checking out. Otherwise, stay away.

Oh, and it has Joan Rivers in it, too. Consider yourself warned.

A huge flop. Horrible.

[=G= · 3/10 · 1 November 2000]

Swain, who makes a coherent centerpiece for this cinematic travesty, is about the only good thing in the film. From over acting just plain bad acting to one-dimensional characters to bad cinematography to lousy music to awful direction, etc. this flick about the supercilious high fashion biz is a huge loser. Even the title misses the mark.

One for the fashion world lovers out there...

[paul_haakonsen · 3/10 · 17 April 2022]

I stumbled upon the 2000 comedy "The Intern" by sheer luck in 2022. And I've sort of been semi-enjoying movies starring Dominique Swain before, so I opted to sit down and watch what writers Caroline Doyle and Jill Kargman had to offer with this movie.

Well, I can honestly say that the movie wasn't meant for a guy like me in the mid-forties as a target audience. And the storyline just fell entirely short of proving entertaining or enjoyable for me to watch. So sitting through this movie was somewhat of a struggle.

Aside from having a storyline with zero appeal, then the character gallery just wasn't interesting. It was hard to take a liking to most of the characters, especially since they were so shallow and one-dimensional. I hope that writers Caroline Doyle and Jill Kargman intentionally wrote the characters as such empty-headed style sheep.

I am sure that there is an audience out there for a movie such as "The Intern", I just didn't happen to be a part of that target audience. So the movie was wasted on me.

Despite of having Dominique Swain on the cast list, then the movie just didn't appeal to me. And even with names such as Joan Rivers and Kathy Griffin on the cast list, then the movie was just a swing and a miss for me.

My rating of "The Intern" lands on a three out of ten stars.

The beauty biz

[jo_died · 14 March 2003]

For anyone who has been in the fashion, modeling, beauty magazine or cosmetic industry. You have to watch it after a bad day in the office. You will love this movie. It might be sterotypical but you'll see how true it is.

For all you interns out there, my heart bleeds for you, but there is a silver lining to it all in the long run.

Fashionably Bad

[aimless-46 · 3/10 · 27 September 2005]

I won't claim that this is the worst movie ever although many would award it at least a honorable mention. I watched this because "Dominique Swain" is one of the stars; she is the only one associated with this thing who has actually been able to find real work in the industry since its release. This was her first real career stumble and she probably wishes now that she had used an assumed name and worn a mask.

Imagine film students Leah and Vincenzo from the cable show "Film School" (The Tisch School of the Acts at NYU) collaborating on a feature length pseudo-documentary as their class project. They talk Swain into going with them to a New York City fashion magazine office for a couple of days. They tell the office staff that everyone has won a free week of acting for the camera lessons. They get another $10,000 from Parker and Jennifer to buy film (Parker's Visa card again). They modify their 1999 script for the unwatchable (and fortunately unwatched) "Fashionably LA" by inserting some scenes from "How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying".

Apparently the objective of the screenplay is to show the "real world" of fashion modeling through the eyes of an intern. The intern is played nicely by Swain who manages to inject some wry humor into many of her scenes and to somehow restrain herself from totally overwhelming the inexperienced cast around her (hence three stars instead of one).

The problem is that the premise, "blowing the lid off the fashion magazine scene", is of interest only to insiders who already know everything the film is about to reveal. Which is pretty much the same with any vocation. What next, a movie that "blows the lid off the Cincinnati CPA scene"?

All the ingredients for a fabulous movie are here: some interesting actors, some snappy dialogue, some stunning "fashion cameos," and some jokes at which only an insider could wince. Unfortunately

[ruthann · 3/10 · 28 November 2000]

All the ingredients for a fabulous movie are here: some interesting actors, some snappy dialogue, some stunning "fashion cameos," and some jokes at which only an insider could wince. Unfortunately, this movie is a fallen souffle. Is it a romantic comedy? Is it a series of over-the-top satiric vignettes? Is it a whodunit? Is it sincere? Is it blatantly corny? Yes, yes, yes. It never takes a consistent tone.

Fun for fashionistas

[style-2 · 5/10 · 31 January 2005]

Bad reviews abound for this straight-to-video feature – lot's of ugly sniping about the fashion business, gay stereotypes, superficiality, etc. But, please, let's get real here. Not every movie has to have deep subtext and meaning – especially not movies about the fashion business. Written and executive produced by Jill Kopelman, (daughter of the owner of the House of Chanel) and Caroline Doyle, the inside jokes and cameos run rampant in a movie that just misses being very clever. With a dreary romantic comedy subplot, Dominique Swain, most notable for *Lolita*, plays Jocelyn, an intern at *Skirt* magazine, who becomes involved in fashion espionage. A very thin premise, to be sure, with a John Waters-ish feel to it, but with a breathless E! TV approach to fashion and comedy. Also like a John Waters film, *Intern* depends heavily on on screen slapstick and cameo performances– though since it's not John Waters, of course, we miss seeing Patty Hearst. Peggy Lipton is a pleasant surprise as Fashion Editor, Roxanne Rochet, a typical fashion victim, given to such statements as "Forget the herbal wrap – I want a Himalayan rejuvenation lichen-berry acid peel." She and her staff are complete caricatures of fashionistas (they are devoting nine pages of their current issue to making wheelchairs the chic accessory), but they are right on the money – especially Leilani Bishop as the vacuous, self-absorbed supermodel, and David Deblinger as the queeny art director. Paulina Porizkova, Anna Thompson, and comedienne Kathy Griffin are a little one-dimensional, but funny as well. Joan Rivers is Joan Rivers, and that's all we need to say about that. As stated earlier, it's not a particularly deep movie, but to paraphrase Karl Lagerfeld, fashion is not the same thing as feeding the hungry and curing the ill.

Get me some coffee and kiss my a***

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 12 December 2016]

"Intern" is from 2000 and stars a host of young actors, as well as Joan Rivers, Peggy Lipton, and featuring cameos by many people in the fashion world.

It's sort of "The Devil Wears Prada" or "Ugly Betty" on the cheap and exaggerated. The anorexic models, the near-hysteria at a fashion shoot, the gay stereotypes - it's all there and then some.

I'm a little hard of hearing but Dominique Swain, who has gone on to have a very nice career, was hard to understand even though I was wearing earphones, due to her muttering.

If you live or have lived in New York City, I think you will enjoy this - you certainly will know about offices like this and will have met some of the people.

There is an opening musical number that uses the phrase in the summary line. Actually it's kind of cute.

The plot concerns looking for the mole who is giving secrets to another magazine. The film mimics "All the President's Men" by having Peggy Lipton trolling through parking garages and tying a scarf on a pole as a signal, looking for her Deep Throat who gives her the most obscure clues you can imagine. Then he hears a car start and he's gone in a flash.

This is very over the top with the exception of Ben Pullen and Swain, who actually manage to play real people. Joan Rivers' coats are insane.

This had potential - there were some funny bits. But we've seen it done better.

Fashionable Satire

[ascap12 · 10/10 · 5 April 2006]

The above critic does not know anything about this movie. ITS A SATIRE, the dry wit seems lost on some. But this is a great over the top movie in the same vein as John Waters "Pecker". Almost Rocky Horror in its camp, this is truly fun. Anyone in the fashion industry should watch and laugh! The BAD acting is on purpose people. Silly silly people. If anyone has worked for fashion on a photoshoot you will laugh. If you have designed clothes or love fashion designers you will laugh. If you have any clue as two who the quest stars are you will laugh. Oh and many many people from this movie still have great careers if you know who the hell your talking about.

The best movie that I've ever seen by accident

[Raptor in Black · 8/10 · 27 May 2002]

I stumbled across this movie by accident one day on TV and, after finding nothing else better, decided to watch it. Although it's not the best scripted movie in the world, I still found it cute and entertaining. The random cameos from top fashion designers were funny, and I can now proudly say to all my friends that I know what Tommy Hilfiger actually looks like. I was surprised to see many recognizable supporting actors, and they might be the most entertaining part of the movie. I would definately recommend it to someone, so long as they didn't have to pay too much to rent it.

Fun

[tabsgirl · 9/10 · 24 January 2004]

Yes, the intro musical number was lame, but I LOVED the rest of the movie. The writing was great, most of the acting was over-the-top and hilarious, like a satire should be. It's a kitschy romantic comedy that I thoroughly enjoyed. The music was especially good. BTW, anyone know where I would be able to get a copy of the song "Unreal" by Jimmy Harry from the movie? It's become one of my favorites.

Very enjoyable movie

[Bob-92 · 7 October 2000]

I bought this movie because I am smitten by Paulina Porizkova who plays the shoe editor for "Skirt" magazine. She was the Estee Lauder model for about 7 years. Gwyneth Paltrow has a cameo role as well. I am also smitten by her. I have been reading fashion magazines for years and, for a while was a photographer, and know about models. In fact, I knew a model like Resin.

The movie has this very enjoyable musical production number just after the start. It is reminiscent of the old MGM musicals. Then we are introduced to the staff of "Skirt" by Jocelyn, the intern. She is played very well by Dominique Swain. All the staff of "Skirt" are played 'over the top' like some members of the rag trade. The movie is enhanced by the gays.

Peggy Lipton who plays the editor in chief was a pleasant surprise to me. I last saw her as Julie, the gorgeous blond dolly cop in "The Mod Squad" TV series. Now she has black hair and is a very attractive sophisticated lady. Joan Rivers is, as usual excellent in her role.There are the cameos of the fashion famous especially Andre Leon Talley (actually Editor at Large of Vogue). The thing that really adds to this movie is the story about the spy. I did not suspect who the spy turned out to be. The movie is well scripted - a plus these days when there are movies being made with excellent special effects but bad scripts. The editing is tight which makes the film move fast with no dead spots.

A credit to Michael Lange for his first feature movie. He has being doing a lot of TV including the "X-Files" and should get a lot more feature work.

I love it. No really, I do.

[rimska · 8/10 · 7 July 2005]

Yes, the sound production is awful. Yes, quite a bit of the acting is sub-par. Yes, the story leaves much to be desired. Yes, this is one of my favorite comedies of all time.

If you watch this movie, be prepared to strain to understand all the lines of dialogue and wince at the tinny, no low-end soundtrack. Someone should have been fired before this movie was completed for their apparent ineptitude at sound editing. I actually hated this movie upon first viewing, being unable to even finish it. It was only after I overheard a friend of mine laughing hysterically at it from the other room that I decided to give it a second chance.

It's a great idea to get a bunch of the fashion world to do cameos in a film like this; unfortunately they aren't known for the acting, and for good reason. Joan Rivers is just as hard to swallow as she is in real life, so be prepared. Dominique Swain over-acts, as per usual, but she is still likable.

The opening musical number is perfect in one respect: it sets you up for the unexpected. There is absolutely no reason for it, but it's funny. Is this an office comedy? A gay comedy? A romantic comedy? Is it, as another user posted, a whodunit? Yes, in all respects. The plot really can't decide which to be. It's very ambiguous.

Taking all of this into account, I still highly recommend this movie. If you go into it expecting it to be awful, you just might find a new favorite.

A totally satisfying piece of entertainment! Delicious!

[fordraff · 14 September 2000]

Contains spoilers.

"Intern" is set in the slick world of a glossy, high fashion magazine, "Skirt." Jocelyn Bennett is an unappreciated intern (Are there any other kind?) but hers is a Cinderella story. The Prince Charming is Paul Rochester, a photographer at the magazine, complete with English accent, a member of royalty, related to Prince Charles; all of these latter connections he keeps to himself. Oh, yes; Paul is probably the only heterosexual male at "Skirt" magazine. The plot keeps Jocelyn and Paul apart until the happy ending. Supermodel and bimbo Resin is the impediment to Jocelyn and Paul's love for most of the film. But, of course Resin doesn't really love Paul. She's learned of his royal connections and his title and wealth and only wants him for those things. Hiss.

The subplot here is lots of fun, too: there is a spy (referred to as Uri) at "Skirt" magazine who constantly sends "Skirt"'s ideas for articles, trends, photos, etc. to rival "Vogue," which then scoops "Skirt." Of course, it is Jocelyn who discovers the spy, and is rewarded by being given a full-time paid position on "Skirt."

All of this is set against the high fashion world, which is satirized in fine form. The film is loaded with gay guys, all of whom are queens amply supplied with bitchy repartee. One such queen befriends Jocelyn and helps her to win Paul--nice-- but an all-too-typical role for a gay man. Nonetheless, I didn't come to this film expecting heightened consciousness about gay life.

The film has plenty of important designers in it to lend an air of authenticity to the proceedings. I enjoyed seeing Kenneth Cole, Tommy Helfiger, and Diane von Furstenberg among many others. In another cameo, Gwyneth Paltrow is shown at lunch with a designer and some friends. Paltrow is photographed more attractively here than in any other film I've see her in.

Dominique Swain, who played Lolita opposite Jeremy Irons, plays Jocelyn here. She's a completely winning actress who drew me right in to the film. And Benjamin Pullen played Paul Rochester. I last saw him as Tommy Trafford in 1999's "An Ideal Husband." Joan Rivers plays Dolly Bellows, a senior editor at "Skirt," and she's completely over the top here, but that's exactly correct for her role.

Now---why isn't this film being aggressively marketed to a gay audience in major cities like San Francisco, West Hollywood, and so on? It certainly should be.

And the advertising campaign should identify Dominique Swain as Jeremy Irons' Lolita, but above all, the ads should feature the names of all the designers in cameo roles.

Some reviews indicated this was a cheaply made indie film. It doesn't look it. But there were a few problems with sound at the beginning of the film, and these should be fixed before the film is given a wider release.

I left the theatre smiling and feeling good after having seen this movie. About how many films can one make that comment today? Don't miss it!

Hip & hilarious

[Nancy B. · 8/10 · 27 May 2001]

I loved everything about this movie. It's camp yet edgy, chock full of cameos, romantic, and quite funny. Hope it does well through word of mouth; I see a cult classic in the making. In fact, I liked it so much that I may try to buy a copy.

David Deblinger steals the movie

[IndiePurple · 11 August 2002]

i love Dominique Swain, really i do , but David Deblinger is a much more interesting charactor in this movie. it's not the 1st time. he was the most interesting charactor in "Kiss Me,Guido". Who couldn't resist a man who doesn't go by a name but a symbol and is referred to as just "the wack job?" What i don't get about Intern is, why is this girl an intern at a fashion magazine? she doesn't seem to be that into fashion. and the ending was the most prodictable thing EVER! joan rivers and kathy griffin were very annoying. if it wasn't for the few laughs i get from David and Ben Pullen, intern would be the biggest waste of film i have ever seen. it's not really comedy, and not really all that romantic. A very canned, easy-to-see coming romanced. if you want to see some good dominique, watch "girl." Wanna see a good romance, watch "funny face." Wanna see a good comedy, watch "ground hog day." wanna see all 3? don't go w/ this movie. ps- i know i can't spell, don't bother telling me, it won't change a damn thing!

Story of an intern at a fashion magazine, and how she deals with the superficiality while trying to survive.

[blueclarkie · 9/10 · 15 February 2006]

This film follows the life of Jocelyn, an intern at Skirt, a fashion magazine. The jokes are rampant, and it's parody of the fashion industry is more than enough to make you smile. Definitely worth a viewing if you like comedies, especially silly ones. You can tell it was a low budget production, but the acting isn't half bad, and the plot is somewhat engaging. The personalities, though somewhat 2-Dimensional, are all "characters," and the film is entertaining. Definitely a great satire of the fashion industry, which more often than not takes itself too seriously. As one of my friend said, "It's like a live action Disney movie!" only with an R rating for it's language, which can be a bit intense at times. Not for the easily offended

Lame

[yespat · 22 December 2002]

Seems cheaply produced, tinny sound. Lame production number early in the movie and the movie does not get better. Surprisingly bad with such an interesting cast. Don't waste your time. I was not able to watch the whole movie. It was that bad.

For anyone who has interned in the 'industry'

[cherisse724 · 8/10 · 31 March 2002]

I don't care what industry you're in, this film is true to form. The characters are so seriously out there you can't help but laugh. It's fun and soooo New York. Love it!...if you re-type a rolodex for your boss, dead or alive he must have the person's correct phone number...I do remember my horrible intern days. It's like what Clockwatchers does for anyone who temps.

Funny as well as romantic

[calldoug · 8/10 · 27 March 2000]

Very funny with a romantic ending

This is a great movie if you want to laugh. It shows all the little nuances of the ultra hip New York designer crowd. Dominique is a phenomenal actress. I think she will have a very successful career in the movie business. You can't help but fall in love with Dominique, she is the movie. One thing I didn't like was the second ending. I felt very strongly that the movie ended at the beautiful water fountain scene. They then went on to show XY and Z, which were not needed. You knew from the results of the fountain scene what the ending was. Great writing, acting and directing.

A sleeper, perhaps the original Devil Wears Prada?

[MmeRachelle · 10/10 · 27 April 2014]

"Intern" captured my fancy and imagination. I discovered it quite by accident; windfall is more the expression. I opted to preview this picture because the lovely Dominique Swain is in it (protagonist). Decided to commit for the incredible cast (Peggy Lipton, Joan Rivers, Kathy Griffin), as well as some fashion and beauty industry biggies such as Andre Leon Talley, Simon Doonan, Diane von Furstenburg, Paulina Porizkova and Frederic Fekkai. I also was attracted to "Intern" because it's not a big mainstream film... I find independent movies often satisfy my desire for original content. The movie didn't get good ratings- but more so, seemed to be polarizing. People either despised it or enjoyed it. It's a sleeper and perhaps the original Devil Wears Prada?

Takeaway: A romp; brilliant and charming satire. If you have experience in or knowledge about the fashion industry, you'll get it.

Disappointing..

[Riverfruit · 10 August 2004]

I thought that this movie seemed like it had been filmed by an amateur cameraman. It was hard to follow and I got very bored when trying to watch it. I bought a copy of the film in a sale a few days ago and from the cover it looked like a really good teen flick. A cross between "Clueless" and "She's All That"...it's nothing like them at all. I wouldn't bother wasting your time with this film, and judging by the number of posts on here, it doesn't look like many people have! For me this film was very disappointing and a complete waste of time and money.

Saw it at Sundance. Painful.

[boffoscribe · 12 July 2000]

Sad to watch things fall apart. Lots of fashion world cameos for those who are into it, but the writing and story made it difficult for me to watch. With American Psycho, one of the worst this year for me (out of about 40 films so far).

I hope there are people who will enjoy this film, and it seemed like people had fun making it. The best parts for me were the choreographed bits at the start.

In the knowing dialogue, the bitchy jokes and the campy fairy-tale story arcs, this seems like an insider film that will only appeal to status-conscious gay fashionistas.

Some supporting characters were fun in their venality. But no one was really FUNNY.

I wanted to tap the lead actors on the shoulder and tell them to run and don't look back. It was like watching someone fall down the stairs for an hour and a half.

Sorry, but it's not a winner.