The Founder, 2016.
Directed by John Lee Hancock
Starring Michael Keaton, Linda Cardellini, Nick Offerman, and John Carroll Lynch.
SYNOPSIS:
An intimate look into the makings of one of the world’s greatest businesses – McDonald’s – and the power-hungry man that orchestrated it all.
Ray Croc is a failing businessman with a burning desire to make something of himself. In the 50s, Croc is on the road, travelling throughout America trying to sell his instant milkshake machine with little success. We enter Croc’s world as he’s in the midst of an existential crisis, motivating himself with clichéd motivational records and quotes he’s enthused with the idea of risk-taking and a post-modern entrepreneurial spirit born in post-war USA.
Upon Croc’s travels, it’s not long before the film follows him discovering the McDonald’s brothers. Mac (Lynch) and Dick (Offerman) are a dynamic, hearty and innovative duo who we’re told created the fast-food system, customers walking to the counter, a streamlined kitchen process and branding. Croc is completely in awe of the brothers and sees green when his mind runs wild at the potential of the business if it was franchised.
As the film progresses we see Croc grow in presence as he transforms from a down and out salesman to a cult businessman. Travelling through America, opening franchises and bringing prosperity to local economies his status and confidence rockets whilst the McDonald brothers see Croc as a loose cannon and progressively ruining the heritage of a wholesome burger restaurant with humble beginnings. Constantly butting heads, Croc and the McDonald brother’s relationship is turbulent and the film documents how much of a swine Croc was to the honest brothers.
Interestingly, Hancock has developed The Founder with an additional dimension. Adding a depth to each character, we see individual interpretations of success and how the cut-throat, power-hungry attributes of capitalism prevail over ones of honesty and quality.
The Founder couldn’t be released at a more apt time. With Donald Trump now in power, this film has so many parallels with the traditional ideology of the American dream that Trump has promised to re-introduce. The ruthlessness, tenacity and drive required to suit the capitalistic zeitgeist at the time is captured marvelously in the body of Keaton.
The only real blight on The Founder is how Croc’s character changes so suddenly. He rapidly shifts between the struggling businessman, to inspired dreamer to a frothing-at-the-mouth fat cat and this fluidity means viewers can expect an abrupt tempo. Regardless of this, Keaton’s performance is brilliant and will be a must-see for any fan.
The film leaves a sour taste in the mouth when contemplating morality. It’s easy to sympathise with the McDonald brothers, but you end up crediting Croc for building a legacy and one of the most successful businesses ever. A special note to the cinematography in The Founder, which captures the hue of 50s America amazingly well.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★★★★ / Movie: ★★★★
Sam Narr
Originally published February 5, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
