'The Founder' A Review

The Founder is a biographical drama about Ray Kroc the man credited with creating the McDonald's fast food chain. Ray(Michael Keaton) is a Chicago based travelling salesman selling multi-spigot milkshake mixers, he has a comfortable life but is on the road constantly and yearns for more. He gets an order for an unprecedented number of mixers for one store which prompts him to visit. McDonald's is a very popular walk-up restaurant with quality food, fast service, and disposable packaging. Ray, being well versed in the pitfalls of drive-ins, is stunned by the slick and successful model, he meets with the brothers who created it Dick McDonald(Nick Offerman) and Mac McDonald(John Carroll Lynch) and they strike up a deal for Ray to begin franchising.

Keaton gives a compelling layered performance as the charming yet morally suspect Kroc. We empathize with his struggle but we don't quite condone his methods. Both Offerman and Lynch are the real hearts of the film, you clearly understand their aspirations and pain and are just as impressed as Kroc by their innovation. Laura Dern as Kroc's wife isn't given much to do and the marriage storyline seems to be an afterthought, a real shame given Dern's ability. The supporting cast is stacked with incredible talent but it is Keaton who, rightfully, dominates the film. In his late career renaissance Keaton puts in his most dynamic performance to date.

Visually the film is serviceable, the score unobtrusive and effective up to a point. The real highlight of the production is the costume and set design. The film successfully evokes the past with interest and a little mystery but avoids cliche and the archaic humor some period pieces unintentionally evoke.

Wonderfully acted, a story that highlights cutthroat economics as, perhaps, the American Dream.

Rent It.