The Founder (2016)

Review

115min

Genre:      Fact-based, Drama

Director:   John Lee Hancock

Cast:        Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch…and more

Writer:     Robert D. Siegel

-Synopsis-
A biographical drama about the humble origins of the McDonald’s walk-in burger joint and its self-declared ‘founder’ Ray Kroc, chronicling his determined and ruthless journey from milkshake machine salesman in 1950s USA to the head of a global fast-food empire and boss of one of the most iconic companies ever.

After enjoying a mainstream cinema resurgence over the last few years and starring in the last two Academy Award winners for best picture, Michael Keaton joins forces with experienced biographical drama director John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, Saving Mr. Banks), bringing his considerable personality and singular talents to this fascinating and quintessentially American story of determination, capitalism and the ‘American Dream’.

Keaton himself stars as middle-aged wheeler-dealer businessman Ray Kroc, a persistent man always looking for a big break when he stumbles across the McDonald brothers Dick (Nick Offerman) & Mac (John Carroll Lynch) and their burger place in southern California, an operation with an ingenious production line ‘Speedee Service System’ and branding which Kroc saw as the potential to revolutionise the food-service industry. But after joining the brothers as the head of franchising, Kroc’s ruthless determination and commercial drive towards expansion clashes with their cautious ‘family business’ approach, setting up a clash that would seal the fate of the most famous restaurant ever.

‘The Founder’ is not exactly garnished with captivating high drama, nor is it a cradle-to-grave biopic of Ray Kroc or a chronicle of the entire history of McDonald’s to date. Instead this a measured little period piece which captures a slice of classic Americana, painting some fascinating character portraits while taking an intriguing snapshot of early corporate America, and the unlikely origins of one of the world’s most beloved and recognised brands… all wrapped up an a distinct ‘only in America’ proposition.

Unlike many a biographical drama which are easily tempted into taking ‘artistic license’ when it comes to historical accuracy, ‘The Founder’ stays relatively close to the real story, not portraying Kroc as a corporate crook but not exactly a likeable character either, leaving the audience to pass their own judgements. And the major events and character representations in the film are based or easily verifiable accounts, including interviews  with Kroc himself, some of which can be heard through the movie’s end credits.

The film’s cinematography, production design and score do a sterling job in capturing the promise of an iconic moment in time of recent American history, during the post-war baby boomer generation where everything seemed possible and the world was America’s oyster as it raced ahead of the rest of the pack. And while this is a film about an individual who changed global commerce through persistence and a ‘business is war’ ethos, it paints a broad picture of corporate America and how its captains of industry became the masters of the universe.

No doubt ‘The Founder’ is blessed with an eclectic ensemble support cast, but the film rises and falls with the considerable charisma of its lead, and fortunately Keaton does an admirable job in balancing his portrayal of a family man and humble entrepreneur who struggled with multiple failures but never gave up, with a more ruthless and determined persona who risked everything for a shot at winning big, and who despite questionable actions and troubling personal traits was integral in making McDonald’s the international business empire and iconic global brand it is today.

Despite any limitations it may have in terms of spectacle or being an engrossing character drama, ‘The Founder’ is nevertheless a fascinating little character portrait of an unlikely American tycoon. But what gives it legs beyond just the story of Ray Kroc and the McDonald brothers is what it says about America and the inherent capitalistic & competitive nature of the ‘American Dream’, after all everyone wants a piece of the pie but there’s only so much to go around… and the ruthless and greedy seem destined to get the biggest chunk.

The Bottom Line…

The tale of two visionaries who conjured a business revolution and the man who hijacked it and made it a reality; ‘The Founder’ may not be blessed with high drama or moving social significance, but this fascinating true story about the power of persistence paints an intriguing character portrait while exploring the ‘American Dream’, all wrapped up in a little history lesson period piece about corporate America and the world it conquered.

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