Review of The Founder (2016) by Rob S — 08 Feb 2017

Overall, The Founder isn't even half as bad as the first hour or so would have you believe. Given the subject matter is one of the most powerful corporations in the world, I had assumed that the hagiographical approach the movie seemed to be taking would persist the entire time. Fortunately, in the second half, we get something at least resembling a critical look at Ray Kroc's moral failures (while lionizing the actual McDonald brothers - go figure). It takes it pretty easy on him for sure, but at least it stops feeling like a 2 hour fast food commercial.

My real issue with this movie, though, is just how heavily it indulges in f*cking cliche. From the music choice (Music For A Found Harmonium playing over a montage sequence - UGH) to the dialogue, it feels like nothing about The Founder wants its audience to have to think or recall things we weren't spoon feds. There are long, obvious takes of Keaton and Cardellini staring lustfully at one another (GUESS WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN THEM), and scenes like Kroc meeting an employee who seems to making burgers well(?) and saying his name literally three times in a row (GUESS WHO BECOMES A KEY FIGURE IN THE STORY).

So whatever. The Founder is just a movie, and it doesn't want to be anything more. It'll be as easily digestible as the stewed carrots I imagine its viewers will be dining on in old folks' homes across America.