"The Founder" is a well made and interesting movie. The filmmakers had so much faith in the film that they counted on it being Oscar bait....and were apparently shocked that it didn't receive a single nomination. Why? Well, I'd bet that the film has one fatal flaw that prevented it from being better received...the central character to the story, Ray Kroc, was not an easy man to like. Selling a film that exposes him as a rather cut-throat businessman probably left more than a few people cold when the film ended.
The story begins in the early 1950s. Ray Kroc is a salesman, on the road constantly, trying to sell his milkshake machines to restaurants...and without a lot of apparent success. However, when he comes upon the Dick and Mac McDonald and their restaurant in San Bernadino, California, Ray developed a dream...to franchise the McDonald brother's design and concept. The film is about the early rocky years getting the franchises going as well as how Ray handled his eventual success.
I have no complaints about the film...it was well made and engaging. But, as I said above, the central character, Ray Kroc, was a tough sell. Although the world, and especially America, has a huge love of nostalgia, learning that the nostalgic feeling engendered by McDonald's is actually the dream of a rather amoral and scheming man. Still, it is worth seeing...just not exactly a feel good film.
