Director: John Lee Hancock
Starring: John Carroll Lynch, Michael Keaton and Nick Offerman
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the recognition of John Carroll Lynch. Following his rise to fame in the 1980’s, Lynch has created many memorable movies. Whether it’s famous food founders, serial killers or divorced fathers, Lynch has portrayed several bold characters. Arguably, Lynch’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong screen presence. He is one of those rare actors which has often had a talent for stealing a show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when he is not the central focus of his movies, Lynch has always left a lasting impression. An actor with a larger than life presence, Lynch has created memorable films earning a massive audience. Despite his appearances in movies that prove appreciated, Lynch has always stood out as a movie-star that’s underrated. Throughout his long-lasting career, Lynch has made countless unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Lynch and adore all the films he has made in his illustrious career. However, “The Founder” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2016, Lynch’s film has stood a test of time as a classic. John Lee Hancock’s movie offered a beautiful tribute to McDonald’s and its legacy. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest movies made about fast food. Ultimately, what makes “The Founder” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about fast food, the film tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about sacrifices of business that would definitely resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about a fast food company, there are several reasons why “The Founder” is a movie that is certainly worth watching.
Based on a true story, “The Founder” follows the journey of an entrepreneur that founded a fast food company. Michael Keaton portrays Ray Kroc, successful salesman with a talent for pitching bold ideas for business. Ray has always had keen interest in opening up a fast food joint selling burgers. When he’s given the chance the work with the McDonald brothers to open a fast food joint, Ray’s dreams come true. However, Ray’s dreams to open business are threatened when he fights with partners in a disaster. Finding himself at odds with views of his business partners, Ray decides to open his fast food restaurant on his own without any barriers. As the odds are stacked against his favour, Ray starts to question whether it’s truly possible to spearhead a successful fast food venture.
John Lee Hancock is a newcomer towards the stories of fast food companies. Before he had directed “The Founder”, Hancock had never produced a fast food biopic before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to honour a founder that created a famous fast food company but he succeeded immensely. Using breathtaking cinematography, Hancock captures a founder seeking to create a strong fast food company. Evoking David Fincher’s “The Social Network”, Hancock effectively use montages to capture a founder that supervised a fast food network. For instance, montages enhance the fast food opening scene. During this memorable scene, Ray opens his fast food company attracting a larger number of people. Through captivating montages, Hancock honours a fast food joint that’s inspiring. Montages are tricky to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Zodiac” claimed, montages enhance serial killer movies. That being said, it works tremendously in this film. Through stunning visuals, Hancock captures tensions which fast food founders seeking to run joints are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Founder” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Hancock successfully use production design to capture the lives of fast food founders that decline. Throughout the movie, Ray’s costumes demonstrate his transformation into a fast food founder that’s successful. For instance, costumes enhance the business meeting scene. During this bold scene, Ray has a business meeting about the future of McDonald’s with business partners. Through stunning costumes, Hancock creates a portrait of a fast food founder audiences can relate to. Moreover, the commemorated musical score is stellar. Carter Burwell’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden fast food founders bear. Through phenomenal production design, Hancock captures lives of commemorated fast food founders that shine.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Founder” is a biopic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice-over narration to capture lives of fast food founders managing an organization. Throughout the film, Ray narrates his efforts running a famous fast food organization by narration. For instance, narration enhances the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ray recounts challenges opening up a fast food restaurant that’s stressful. Through compelling narration, Hancock creates a bold portrait of a fast food company that proves to be engaging. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Glenn Ficarra’s “Crazy Stupid Love” suggested, narration is suited to romantic comedies about doomed marriages. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Hancock honours the legacy of one of the world’s most beloved fast food chains today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
John Carroll Lynch delivers one of his greatest performances as Mac McDonald. Lynch first earned appreciation for playing husbands of ferocious police officers. With “The Founder”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray the founder of a famous fast food company but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. It’s a role which gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a founder that’s well known. With riveting expressions, he captures the bravery, determination and frustration of a renowned fast food founder facing adversity. It’s a stellar performance from one of the finest actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Lynch, the supporting cast is also fantastic and worthy of appreciation. Michael Keaton is magnificent, capturing dedication of a famous founder seeking to run a fast food organization causing tension. Nick Offerman is outstanding, capturing the heroic personality of a fast food owner seeking to run a business which proves tragic. Last, Linda Cardellini definitely merits recognition. A a frustrated housewife, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Founder” earns the appreciation of everyone for capturing fast food firms that face tension. Unlike most movies about iconic fast food companies, it tackles strong themes everyone. It discusses strong themes including determination, business and friendship which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with McDonald’s history to appreciate it. Therefore, “The Founder” is one of those rare business biopics about fast food everyone would adore.
Fans do John Carroll Lynch will definitely enjoy “The Founder” and so will audiences seeking thoughtful entertainment. A brilliant business biopic, it a fast food chain that’s iconic.
Nearly 50 years after Ray Kroc became a legendary founder of a famous fast food company that changed the world forever, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which audiences treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 