19 August 2017

Weekend Cooking: Review of The Founder (Movie)

Review: The Founder (movie)Is there anyone on earth who hasn't eaten at a McDonald's? Maybe on some remote Pacific island or in the wilds of the Yukon Territory, but it's hard to believe there's a person living who has never even heard of the fast-food chain.

I'm not sure why the film Founder (directed by John Lee Hancock) didn't get more buzz. I understand that it was a critics' choice, but the public ignored it. Put me in the fan column.

From the first sounds of sizzling burgers to the last notes of the credit music, I was glued to my screen. Before watching this movie, I knew only the bare-bones story. The hamburger franchise was started by two brothers in California, but Ray Kroc was the guy who made McDonald's the worldwide phenomenon that it is today.

The film, starring Michael Keaton as Kroc and Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch as the McDonald brothers, lets us all in on very start of the original and iconic fast-food family restaurant. I was unaware of Dick and Mac McDonald's history and was fascinated with their concepts, which are the foundation of all fast-food establishments, even today, more than 60 years after they opened their first successful hamburger joint.

The process through which Kroc ends up owning and, in fact, founding the McDonald's Corporation, is eye-opening. He certainly had the drive and (pardon the pun) hunger to be successful, but whether he was ultimately evil or a genius, I leave up to you to decide.

Michael Keaton is the uncontested star of the movie. He is in almost every scene and truly carries the film. His acting was believable, from his early frustrations to his power grab near the end of the movie.

The set details are very impressive. I loved the clothing and hairstyles as well as the cars, buildings, phones, and even the billboards. It all shouts 1950s. Even the early McDonald's restaurants, which many of you may be too young to remember, were spot on. (Note: I'm too young to have seen or eaten at an original McDonald's, but I do remember the look of first restaurants, when there was no indoor seating.)

The movie is now available for streaming, and I highly recommend you take the two hours to watch. You can make popcorn, but it might be more appropriate to have a burger and fries instead.


NOTE: Mr. Linky sometimes is mean and will give you an error message. He's usually wrong and your link went through just fine the first time. Grrrr.
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Weekend Cooking hosted by www.BethFishReads.comWeekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.
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13 comments:

Marg 8/19/17, 7:37 AM  

I had intended to go and see this at the movies but never got around to it. Might add it to the list of things to watch.

Mae Travels 8/19/17, 8:00 AM  

Details from the 1950s can really make movies fun. I don't know much about this history, movie might be fun to watch. With a burger!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

bermudaonion 8/19/17, 8:09 AM  

I wanted to see this but, if it made it to theater here, I missed it. I'll have to see if it's on Netflix or HBO Now.

Anonymous,  8/19/17, 9:03 AM  

Somehow I missed hearing about this movie- I love biographical based movies and can't wait to stream this one Thanks Beth and thanks for hosting this weekend linky. I'm enjoying all the shares.

Jackie McGuinness 8/19/17, 9:40 AM  

We watched this recently too and enjoyed it. We had the good fortune to visit the McDonald's Museum in San Bernadino CA a few years ago.

gluten Free A_Z Blog 8/19/17, 9:40 AM  

Hi beth,
Is there any way you can remove #5 . I posted Quinoa lover's salad and the link doesn't work.. I reposted with # 7 with a working link.. thanks

Unknown 8/19/17, 10:06 AM  

Good movie. It captured the kitchen precision that was part of McDonalds success. (I worked at McDonalds for a little while as a teenager).

Deb in Hawaii 8/19/17, 1:00 PM  

Great review! It's been on my "to watch" list but I am moving it up based on your feedback. Thanks for sharing! ;-)

Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) 8/19/17, 4:05 PM  

Not sure how I missed hearing about this one. I am old enough to remember when a trip to McDonalds was a family outing. We kids were so excited to eat in the car!

Stacie 8/19/17, 10:56 PM  

We just watched this on Netflix last week and I agree with everything you said! It reminded me of the movie Flash of Genius with Greg Kinnear except Keaton's character was a bit more greedy and sinister. Worth the watch!!

Greg 8/20/17, 3:02 AM  

I'm actually quite curious about this movie and hope to watch it soon. I'm sure it's very eye- opening! And I have to admit some of that 50's Americana sounds fun in terms of the set designs- I love old vintage diners!

(Diane) bookchickdi 8/20/17, 10:34 AM  

My husband worked at McDonalds when he was in high school, so we found this movie fascinating. McDonalds would not be what it is today without Kroc, but he was not a very ethical guy.

Lisa 8/20/17, 11:46 AM  

I'd actually forgotten about this one but definitely want to watch it!

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