The Founder [DVD]

Good movie

This was quite a surprise.Very thoroughly researched and a totally brilliant production design (or even reproduction design).Characters are fabulously portrayed, superbly directed with a script that is wonderfully and colourfully crafted.The development of story, the revealing facets of the main characters and the skulduggery that went on is truly eye opening.An increadible journey ending with a series of photographs of the actual people that were part and parcel of this truly magnificent empire building biopic.

The real story behind the 'golden arches' could leave a nasty taste in your mouth. Beautifully acted by a great cast, it's all about dreaming big but also about power, betrayal and downright ruthlessness.

good film on mcdonalds brothers

Other reviews have highlighted the fine acting throughout the film, and the value of a true story being recounted through an engaging plot.At the end of the film, I could not help thinking this could almost be a training aid for business entrepreneurs and managers. 'Persistence' is the byword of the story, but one has to think about the true teamwork approach of the McDonald brothers: you do not succeed and maintain standards if you do not involve the whole staff in it. The scene from the tennis court and everyone rehearsing the working process is priceless.The other takeaway is that you probably do not command enough respect among your staff if you are not prepared to be a bit of a drafter. Kroc knew that from his early days as a salesman, the McDonalds bros too, though coming from a different avenue. That's the positive message of the film, not sure how many owners or senior managers these days would be prepared to roll up their sleeves and pick up a broom...Finally, if there is any proof that a woman can be as charming and beautiful well into her forties and fifties, this is it. Laura Dern and Riccardini are simply fantastic, the looks complementing their fine acting.Business is cut-throat, and the last 20-30 minutes of the film just show you that.

A good movie actually but you actually need to follow, don’t get distracted. Also, after buying this movie on Amazon, it was added to Netflix not long after.

Fabulous film! Keaton is brilliant as our hero, Kroc, the door-to-door commercial salesman responsible for the outrageous growth of the McDonald's franchise.Now, I say "our hero" and therein lies the joy of the film. This film does not preach, or judge Kroc. It simply gives it to us straight, and leaves us to make up our own minds about him. It is very easy to see him as an entrepreneur, a visionary, a hard-working all-American guy imbued with the Protestant work ethic. It is also easy enough to see him as a liar, an adulterer, a thief, and a cuckold. He is an ambivalent 'hero' as it were. Do you love him or hate him?The film is pacey and you are never bored. At the same time, the main characters are explored in some depth and overall it's a character-driven film I would say. Kroc meets the Mcdonald brothers who have developed a superb mechanism for delivering fast food - in an era where drive-ins and take-always took half an hour, the McDonald brothers worked out a way to do the same thing in thirty seconds - revolutionary!It's their idea. THEY are the founders, not him. But what they could not do is work out a way to franchise the model in a way that ensured consistent quality at each outlet. That's what Kroc did (albeit with help, and a little luck). He turned a great idea into a fabulous business model.As a business owner, this film inspires me to think of better ways to run my business. But at the same time it has shown me where the lines are that i would not be prepared to cross. Kroc, on the other hand, was not concerned with ethical niceties. And that, perhaps, explains why his business is infinitely more successful!I loved this film.

This enjoyable film was tailor made for Michael Keaton who plays the part of the hustler really well. He's done this before in "The Dream Team" and I guess this is his personality He plays an obsessive compulsive little man with a little boy inside his soul who just has to show off and get to the top to prove to himself and others that he's a winner, which he isn't. On the way he betrays everyone he works with and leaves a trail of misery behind him. It's a good story, and although to me the beginning, middle and end is obvious, it has some good moral lessons. A thing that makes a film worthwhile to me. Dick McDonald had Ray Croc (Michael Keaton) sussed from the start and had serious doubts about him, but overrode them which is a serious mistake. Once Keaton was into their scene he knew they'd let the wolf into the henhouse, but by then it was too late. The lesson here is like Robert De Niro said in "Ronin" "When there's a doubt, there is no doubt." Another huge mistake was made by Rollie Smith played by Patrick Wilson. He made the classic mistake of introducing Keaton to his wife Linda Cardellini (Joan Smith) whilst being aware that Keaton was casting covetous eyes over her and lusting after her. It was so obvious what was going to happen there. Another classic mistake that Dick McDonald made was to actually trust Keaton to keep his word concerning the 1% of the business for perpetuity. He had a doubt about that too but once again ignored the warning bells in his spirit. This was an enjoyable film/documentary despite the despicable character of Ray Croc, which is a suitable name for him. It strengthens my resolve to be extremely vigilant and diligent about who you let into your life.