The Founder

TWC

                John Lee Hancock has become the go-to director for biographical films. Since 2002 he has directed The Rookie, The Alamo, The Blind Side, and Saving Mr. Banks, all of which have centered on the stories of men who achieved greatness, and the women who made it possible. In his most interesting choice to date, Hancock directs The Founder, the true story of how McDonald’s went from a simple roadside burger stand, run by two enterprising brothers, to a billionaire dollar empire.

            This story is absolutely fascinating. I won’t spoil it, because the movie does such an extraordinarily good job at explaining the entire hideous tale, but here are the main points: Ray Croc (Keaton) was a salesman who worked with a lot of drive-ins during the 1950s. He comes across the McDonald brothers in San Bernadino, CA, and they are making quite a stir. They have eliminated wait times, huge unwieldy menus, mess, and inconvenience in a special process. Through a series of underhanded moves Ray Croc franchises their business, takes credit for the entire thing, and becomes a billionaire. There are so many little specifics that will stick in your craw for weeks afterwards, especially if you live near an In-N-Out Burger, like I do.

            Besides being a really interesting story, the film is well made. Hancock is a studio director who really knows what he’s doing and creates a cogent and entertaining film. It’s obvious that the studio was hoping for some award show appeal because Michael Keaton is in the lead and he’s been in nothing but Oscar winners for the last several years. Also, this is a great role for Keaton. He plays Croc as an ambitious and vicious businessman who worms his way into people’s lives until he gets what he wants. He uses people like drug store cosmetics, throwing them away when they lose their gloss and shine. Croc is a meaty character who could have been played as a slimy, hate-filled opportunist, but Keaton paints him as a go-getter who understands greatness, and just wants to be great, first for his wife, then himself. Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch are also really great as the McDonald brothers, and Laura Dern gives another top tier performance as Croc’s wife, Ethel. This is a must-see if you want to understand the growing mythology of this franchise giant, or just like stories of corporate greed run amuck.