Review of The Founder (2016) by Moose M — 19 Jan 2017

This was a movie that I probably didn't think I'd watch in theaters, but I enjoyed this one. The Founder is based on the true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) met the creators of McDonalds Mac (John Carroll Lynch) and Dick McDonald (Nick Offerman).

The McDonald brothers have created a new system in fast food that gets the food out to the customers in 30 seconds which was better than the poor quality of drive up diners in the 1950's. Soon Ray convinces the brothers to let him turn the business into a franchise and expand the operation.

The brothers are hesitant at first, but being an experienced (albeit struggling) salesman ray convinces the brothers to sign a contract. Thus begins the journey of Ray slowly building the McDonalds empire and edging the brothers more and more out of the overall big picture.

The movie to me not only tells the story of Ray Kroc, but shows how a man can transform through persistence. Ray never gives up he works hard and while he ultimately becomes a bit of a monster...thats kinda how business is.

Friendships and relationships get destroyed and you can sometimes lose your own identity through it all. Keaton does a great job here portraying Ray and how he starts out and slowly starts losing his own morales with more and more power.

I will say I still wasn't sure if the films director was trying to show us a cynical view of the film, or just a story of how power corrupts. Regardless, I enjoyed this one a lot. It didn't make me hate McDonalds.

Every successful business has some skeletons in their closet I would assume. I highly recommend giving this one a look!