imperfection is perfection
Sporadic film reviews by a wanna-be filmmaker
THE FOUNDER [2016]
Directed by John Lee Hancock
Written by Robert D. Siegel
Starring: Nick Offerman, Linda Cardellini, Patrick Wilson, Michael Keaton, Laura Dern, John Carroll Lynch, B.J. Novak
This was a film that I initially dismissed as a celebration of one man creating perhaps the most disgusting food establishment in the world. My opinion was swayed by a passing comment; a mate of mine is a plumber, and knowing that I enjoy film, he asked if I’d seen it, and proceeded to tell me how it was about this man, Ray Kroc, who essentially stole the business model from the original McDonald brothers. The Bill Gates of catering. I was immediately intrigued as I obviously didn’t know this story at all.
It is immediately obvious from the opening scene that Ray is desperate. We begin hearing his practised monologue, desperately trying to sell milkshake dispensers to restaurants who are struggling to sell milkshakes as it is. Not only is he financially in trouble, his marriage isn’t going too hot either as his wife becomes understandably tired of Ray’s constant business trips that never seem to amount to anything.
Capitalism may be the world we live in, but this film is an excellent example of how greed and deception are inherently a part of business. Ray is desperate, and when he stumbles upon the McDonald twins and their revolutionary ‘fast-food’ operation, dollar signs replace his pupils. What begins as an awkward but tolerable relationship between Ray and the brothers spirals out of control as Ray takes more from the brothers, and as he does it he increases his control over the business.
As Ray is expanding rapidly, much to the disgust of the brothers, he can’t figure out why he isn’t making any profit. A chance meeting leads to a strong friendship, as the man Ray meets tells him precisely why he isn’t making money. The answer? Real estate. Own the land the restaurants are on, and that company is no longer affiliated with the McDonald brothers, meaning the contract they signed together now means nothing. This was the pivotal moment where Ray was able to dance around this contract, allowing him to do what he pleased with the McDonald’s name and famous ‘golden arches’, neither of which were his ideas.
Hindsight is a great thing and it is hard to think that a man like Dick would let a man like this into his life. But Keaton plays the greasy salesman perfectly, and after a terrific, sociopathic sales pitch invoking patriotism and guilt, Dick lets his ambitions of spreading their product get the better of him as he unwittingly signs a contract with Ray that we know will cause only problems.
The interesting thing about the brothers is that they had values. They stood for something – they had tried to expand (which was Ray’s brilliant original suggestion) and had failed due to a lack of overall oversight and quality. They were not happy that these other outlets weren’t following their values, one restaurant even had a completely different menu. These men were interested the art of making food. They were not interested in money.
I mention these values as it is a little twisted that the McDonalds we know today couldn’t stand farther away from the brothers’ values. It is a sickening place that underpays its often extremely young employees, it is a recognisable commodity everywhere in the world despite possessing a truly repugnant nature of what business and food should be about. Not only that, but they set the tone for other fast-food chains, most of which are just as bad, if not worse.
The two brothers, as characters, aren’t incredibly deep, but they are superbly acted and their opposing personalities make for some entertaining scenes, especially as Nick Offerman is involved. That man can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned. As for Ray, Keaton delivers; he doesn’t overact but he also doesn’t phone it in. His character’s progression into more and more of a greedy egomaniac is believable because of the subtle way in which Keaton increases the assertiveness of his character. He changes before our eyes from an opportunist into a ruthless businessman.
Despite knowing the rough story, I was interested throughout this film as it really depicts what is truly wrong with capitalism and business in general. Keaton 
is better here than he was in Birdman, and he certainly has a much more interesting character to play. This is certainly an interesting story that will forever remain relevant as long as we live in a cash-based society. And unless we are living in the world of Mr Robot, I can’t see that fact changing any time soon. So while this may not be an exciting film, it is relevant and will stay that way for a long time.
One beer short of a sixer
5/6
18 Comments on “THE FOUNDER [2016]”
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imperfection is perfection 
Great review. I am so looking forward to this! I watched the documentary on this story, and I think Keaton is perfectly cast.
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Keaton plays the greasy used car salesman type character to perfection. I never thought I’d enjoy a film about McDonalds but this one is bloody good!!
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Well look at you Jordan, you’ve seen a movie that I don’t think has been seen by many film bloggers. In fact I haven’t even read a single review of it yet. Glad to hear this is a good one, though I initially thought the same as you, don’t care about MacDonalds though I do like their chicken nuggets, ahah. I do like Michael Keaton, and wow, better here than in Birdman? Now THAT I gotta see!
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He is great here Ruth, plays the sleazy sales-guy so well. I thought he was brilliant, his character had a lot more to work with than in Birdman too, which I’ll be honest, I don’t care for. And this is especially worth watching considering Nick Offerman is involved!!!! ;D
Hehe and yeah, this must be one of those random films that comes out here before anywhere else. That happened with ‘Infinitely Polar Bear’ last year. Cinema release schedules are WEIRD!
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Ah right, I forgot you’re not into Birdman. Ouch, that’s another one we don’t agree with. But hey it’s ok, I hear ya, not many people are into that film. Oh I do love Nick Offerman, he’s hilarious! Did he have a big part in The Founder? Both he and Keaton have great comic skills, so it’d be fun to watch ’em together. Have you seen ‘Multiplicity’? That movie still made me laugh so much, Keaton is so hilarious in it.
Yeah, internal cinema release is bonkers indeed!
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Multiplicity will have to go onto the list!
Offerman has probably the second biggest role as one of the McDonald brothers. He is great!
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My hubby and I absolutely loved Multiplicity! He played four characters, a variation of the same role but oh so hilarious! Glad to hear Offerman has a pretty major role in this one.
P.S. I’ve got my Five for the Fifth post up Jordan, it’s the last of the year so hope you’ll stop by and participate!
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IO had a look at it, unfortunately not a lot of it is stuff I’m hugely looking forward to/or am familiar with
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Well don’t forget to give me your question by the last week of this month for the January edition 😉
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I find films like this difficult to assess. It was well made without doubt but Ray Kroc was an asshole and so what to get out of a two hour film where an asshole is an asshole to everybody and wins. Did I enjoy it? Not really. Is it a bad film? No. Is it a good film or a film worth seeing? That’s tough for me. I think the answer is no but that suggests an overall dismissiveness towards the film on my part that I do not fully agree with. In any event I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Per chance did you ever work at Maccas?
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Never, I hate the food, it makes me feel ill. Haven’t eaten it in years
I can see what you are saying. But I like unlikeable characters ;P And in that regard I really liked Keaton as Kroc. I liked Offerman a lot too, I thought he added some much needed humour
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Both actors who did the Macdonald brothers I really am a big fan of.
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Oh Nick Offerman is fantastic in anything he is in, and this character is a BIG character change from the well-known ‘Ron Swanson’ character he played on Parks and Rec. I recognised the other guy too but can’t call the name off the top of my head.. they were both great together. I think this movie got snubbed massively, cos Keaton was awesome too.
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Hey do you think Keaton was dubbed during the piano scene?
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its hard to tell these days, what with Miles Teller doing a lot of the drumming in whiplash, Oscar Isaac singing in Inside Llewelyn Davis…. heh who knows???
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Oscar Isaac can do no wrong, the man is a talent.
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A-M-E-N buddy!!!!
When I saw Llewlyn Davis I was in shock. Refused to believe that this guy that I’d never heard of could act and sing and play guitar, all so well!!
Man, the Coens really know how to cast.
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