Jeri Jacquin
Today on Bluray/DVD and Digital HD from director John Lee
Hancock, the Weinstein Company and Anchor Bay Entertainment is the story behind
McDonalds with THE FOUNDER.
It is 1954 and Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) is a man who is
always on the move with his supply business. Working for Prince Castle
Living with wife Ethel (Laura Dern) in a beautiful home in Arlington Heights , Illinois
Still intrigued by the telephone call for more than one of
the machines, Kroc goes to see what restaurant needs more than one! He arrives
in San Bernardino , California
He introduces himself to Dick and Mac McDonald (John Carroll
Lynch) and they give him a tour of their hamburger assembly line process,
quality produce and service. Kroc knows that this is a business he wants to be
part of and convinces the brothers to go into partnership with Kroc franchising
out to others.
Rollie Smith (Patrick Wilson) and wife Joan (Linda
Cardellini) show interest in the business and he shows interest in Joan.
Finding a boom in the franchising of McDonalds, Kroc is constantly being
stopped by the brothers in making any changes per their contract. If that isn’t
enough, Ethel is alone more than with her husband.
Kroc wants to make McDonalds iconic and without the brothers
so with the help of Harry Sonneborn (B.J. Novak). His new company, Franchise
Realty Corporation, begins the takeover of land that any McDonalds is on.
Changing the name to The McDonald’s Corporation, he buys out the brothers which
includes the name and takes a new wife.
McDonalds is now a part of the American landscape!
Keaton as Kroc is stunning in this role. He has this amazing
ability to hook me into watching every character he has ever portrayed and the
role of Kroc is no exception. I love the way he turns a phrase and gives this
character charm – even when I really didn’t want to like Kroc.
Offerman as Nick plays a man who is clear about his business
goals. Knowing that the idea of McDonalds was something special, he does try
his damnedest to keep Kroc in line. It’s when things get out of control that
Offerman gives us a look at a man who believed in something and someone only to
be taken advantage of. Lynch as brother Mac is the brother who absolutely
breaks my heart. He wants to believe that expanding would mean so much and was
hit the hardest when it turned on them both. Lynch is one of my favorite actors
because he can play both the villain and an endearing character and make it
look easy.
Dern as Ethel is a woman who is the perfect housewife taking
care of Ray when he is home. Supporting every endeavor he takes on means she
also comes in second in every endeavor he takes on. Cardellini as Joan is a
subtle character who is beautiful, talented, smart and believes in Kroc.
Other cast includes Justin Brooke as Fred Turner, Kate
Kneeland as June Martino, Griff Furst as Jim Zien, Wilbur Fitzgerald as Jerry
Cullen, David de Vriest as Jack Horford, Andrew Benator as Leonard Rosenblatt,
and Cara Mantella as Myra Rosenblatt.
The Weinstein Company is the film studio founded by Bob and
Harvey Weinstein founded in 1979. Since 2005, TWC has released such films as
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, THE READER, INGLORIOUS BASTERDS, THE KING’S SPEECH,
THE ARTIST, DJANGO UNCHAINED and THE HATEFUL EIGHT. The Weinstein’s have
received 341 Oscar nominations and won 81 Academy Awards.
THE FOUNDER is such an interesting look at a place known all
over the world. I remember my first McDonalds visit when I was five when the
outside was red and white with the big arches on either side of the building.
The one thing that I and others never thought about was the
story behind those golden arches. This film is a double edge sword in that it’s
a history I want to know but one that I’m surprised to learn. The McDonald
brothers are portrayed as two men who have a grand idea and it works for them
in a fantastic way.
That is until Ray Kroc comes in and although I understand
his excitement, I was very upset in a way about how he went about it all. Does
that mean I’ll never eat a McDonald’s French fry ever again – hardly.
Keaton puts his stamp on this role and along with Offerman
and Lynch, THE FOUNDER is a film I highly recommend. The cinematography,
costumes and sets are amazing and brought me back to that era with ease. This
is a story that is well done by writer Robert D. Siegel who is also known for
the 2008 film THE WRESTLER.
The Bluray includes the Special Features of a Behind-the-Scenes Gallery Featurette and
Press Conferences. The Digital HD
allows viewing from your television, computer, tablet and Smartphone.
In the end – risk taker, rule breaker and game changer!
