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The Founder

  • 2016
  • PG-13
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
195K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,471
63
Michael Keaton in The Founder (2016)
Ray Kroc, a struggling salesman from Illinois, meets Mac and Dick McDonald, co-operators of a burger restaurant in 1950s Southern California.
Play trailer1:01
23 Videos
99+ Photos
DocudramaPeriod DramaWorkplace DramaBiographyDramaFinancial Drama

The story of Ray Kroc, a salesman who turned two brothers' innovative fast food eatery, McDonald's, into the biggest restaurant business in the world, with a combination of ambition, persist... Read allThe story of Ray Kroc, a salesman who turned two brothers' innovative fast food eatery, McDonald's, into the biggest restaurant business in the world, with a combination of ambition, persistence, and ruthlessness.The story of Ray Kroc, a salesman who turned two brothers' innovative fast food eatery, McDonald's, into the biggest restaurant business in the world, with a combination of ambition, persistence, and ruthlessness.

  • Director
    • John Lee Hancock
  • Writer
    • Robert Siegel
  • Stars
    • Michael Keaton
    • Nick Offerman
    • John Carroll Lynch
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    195K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,471
    63
    • Director
      • John Lee Hancock
    • Writer
      • Robert Siegel
    • Stars
      • Michael Keaton
      • Nick Offerman
      • John Carroll Lynch
    • 424User reviews
    • 330Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 5 nominations total

    Videos23

    New Trailer
    Trailer 1:01
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    Trailer 1:03
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    Trailer 1:03
    Trailer #2
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:26
    Trailer #1
    The Founder
    Clip 1:33
    The Founder
    The Founder
    Clip 1:15
    The Founder
    The Founder
    Clip 1:20
    The Founder

    Photos108

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    Top cast76

    Edit
    Michael Keaton
    Michael Keaton
    • Ray Kroc
    Nick Offerman
    Nick Offerman
    • Dick McDonald
    John Carroll Lynch
    John Carroll Lynch
    • Mac McDonald
    Linda Cardellini
    Linda Cardellini
    • Joan Smith
    B.J. Novak
    B.J. Novak
    • Harry J. Sonneborn
    Laura Dern
    Laura Dern
    • Ethel Kroc
    Justin Randell Brooke
    Justin Randell Brooke
    • Fred Turner
    Kate Kneeland
    Kate Kneeland
    • June Martino
    Patrick Wilson
    Patrick Wilson
    • Rollie Smith
    Griff Furst
    Griff Furst
    • Jim Zien
    Wilbur Fitzgerald
    Wilbur Fitzgerald
    • Jerry Cullen
    David de Vries
    David de Vries
    • Jack Horford
    Andrew Benator
    Andrew Benator
    • Leonard Rosenblatt
    Cara Mantella
    Cara Mantella
    • Myra Rosenblatt
    Randall Taylor
    Randall Taylor
    • Owner (Ed's Drive-In)
    Lacey King
    • Car Hop Girl (Ed's Drive-In)
    Jeremy Madden
    • Dennis
    Rebecca Ray
    Rebecca Ray
    • Car Hop Girl (Joe's Drive-In)
    • Director
      • John Lee Hancock
    • Writer
      • Robert Siegel
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews424

    7.2195.1K
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    Featured reviews

    7cricketbat

    I simultaneously respect and dislike Ray Kroc

    The Founder is a fascinating and frustrating story about a man (and a restaurant chain) that you simultaneously respect and dislike. Michael Keaton becomes Ray Kroc, and this film makes you realize how revolutionary the concept of McDonald's really was. It may have made my wife want to boycott the Golden Arches for a while, but it's still a well-made movie.
    8AlsExGal

    Who would think a film about McDonald's would be this interesting?

    I was actually surprised when it was over, because the movie had gone by so fast. Who knew a film about McDonald's would be this interesting? Of course Michael Keaton has no problem diving into the character of wheeler dealer Ray Kroc. His perfect foil is Nick Offerman as Dick McDonald, deadpan, a solid rock of a man with strong ideas about integrity. John Carroll Lynch as Mac McDonald, Dick's brother, a taller but more accommodating man, is also outstanding. Linda Cardinelli as Joan Smith, eventually to be Joan Kroc, is quite lovely and looks good in the period costumes. At the end of the film Kroc offers what are now, I believe, called "alternative facts" about the founding of McDonald's. The film is very much about two different visions of America as reflected in two different approaches to business.

    For car buffs, this film is a must, with many fine 1950s vehicles on display.
    7sol-

    Fast Food Nation

    Based on the true story of Ray Kroc, a traveling salesman who franchised the first family-owned McDonald's restaurant and turned it into the international conglomerate that it is today, 'The Founder' tells a fascinating slice of twentieth century history. The title is well chosen, hinting at the dynamic at the heart of the film with Kroc declaring himself the "founder" of McDonald's when in fact the idea of fast and efficient food service was never his to begin with - something that becomes a point of contention with the original owners. Michael Keaton is excellent in the lead role, exuding both charm and charisma while also always coming off as if he has something up his sleeve. There are several great shots throughout that linger on his face in close-up as he delivers persuasive sales pitches and there is a magnificent sequence late in the piece where several of his sermons in different locations are edited together to overlap as one big speech. Keaton also does well coming off as both victim and aggressor at varying points. At times, he comes across as an all-too-sympathetic underdog whose dreams are hindered by the McDonalds brothers' unwillingness to compromise in the name of progress. At other points, he seems insanely ruthless with how he circumvents everything in his way. Telling a similar slice of contemporary history, 'The Founder' is bound to be compared to 'The Social Network', to which it does not stack up as well, but it deserves to be considered as a film on its own. The storytelling approach here is more comedic than in the Facebook film and while 'The Founder' may have benefited from even more comedy to lighten the mood, it is an amusing film as it is - and a thought-provoking film when considers its basis in actual fact.
    8MrDHWong

    An interesting look into the way one man helped turn a small hamburger restaurant into a global fast food empire

    The Founder is a biographical drama film starring Michael Keaton based on the life of American businessman and founder of the McDonald's Corporation Ray Kroc. Whether you love the McDonald's brand or hate it, this film offers a compelling view into the way it has captivated us all with its worldwide presence.

    In 1954, salesman Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) meets with brothers Dick (Nick Offerman) and Mac (John Carroll Lynch) McDonald, the owners of the hamburger restaurant known as "McDonald's". Fascinated by the brothers' ability to have burgers and fries cooked in a matter of seconds, Kroc suggests the idea of franchising the restaurant nationwide, hoping to use this as a way to take control of the company and earn money for himself.

    Featuring yet another terrific performance from the ever-versatile Michael Keaton, his second best behind Birdman, The Founder is an interesting look into the way one man helped turn a small hamburger restaurant into a global fast food empire. It is fascinating seeing how one simple idea - fast food - has changed the culinary world forever. However, one cannot help but feel sorry for the misfortune the McDonald brothers went through as a result of franchising their name and the exploitation they received. I should also mention that the film reminded me of the 2010 film The Social Network, with its similar plot about one man exploiting a clever idea from two brothers for his own financial gain.

    I rate it 8/10.
    8eddie_baggins

    Keaton shines in this fascinating biopic

    For many the thought nowadays of takeaway food is but a convenience we all enjoy (some more than others) but at one stage during human history the very idea of having your burger, fries and ice-cold Coke ready in mere seconds was a novelty that began sweeping the nation of America before taking over the world as we now know it today.

    A staple for over 60 years, McDonalds restaurants are a mainstay of everyday life, a reliable source of cheeseburger delicacies, crispy French fries and refreshing beverages that continue to supply the goods to those both young and those young at heart. When consuming McDonalds however, its unlikely many of us have ever truly considered where this establishment was born from and thankfully for all us, the story is a real doozy.

    It's often the case these days that high profile, well-marketed biopics are reliable as a Big Mac (you always know what you're going to get) but John Lee Hancock's film is imbedded with both an energy and pace that elevates it above the usual bio-fair and with another awards worthy turn from Michael Keaton as its centrepiece, this enthralling slice of history is a fabulously entertaining ride tinged in nostalgic 1950's vibes and garnished with a quick- smart script from The Wrestler screenwriter Robert D. Siegel.

    Capturing the time, place and allurement of this mankind changing business model, The Founder does a great job of transporting us back in time as we ride alongside struggling salesman Ray Kroc, whose eyes are opened when he comes across the McDonald brothers, whose business model of "fast food" finally gives Ray the chance his so longed for all his life, to make a buck and then some.

    Keaton's performance as Kroc is quite the feat. His a genuinely cold and calculated character but as the film begins we are happy to see him put in the hard yards as his franchise model of stores takes off but as the brand grows so does Kroc's ego and Keaton's performance morphs naturally as it does in fascinating and unexpected ways.

    Come the films later stages, the real feat of Keaton's turn comes into the spotlight and what we're left with is a layered character brought to life by the performer, whether it's in comical situations or brutally raw moments shared with lawyers, Keaton is on fire here and while his ably supported by the likes of Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch as the unfortunate McDonald brothers Dick and Mac, The Founder is founded off the back of Keaton's turn and whilst unlikely that this film will find itself in to many awards categories, Keaton is looming as a key player in the upcoming awards season.

    The Founder is one of those rare biopics that grabs you from the get-go and doesn't let up.

    A well shot, scored and acted studio film that tells a story worth telling (plus one of the best advertisements McDonald's has never paid for), The Founder offers a fascinating insight into the beginnings of the McDonald's brand that also gives us an equally fascinating real life figure and another chance for the career revival of Michael Keaton to continue on its merry way.

    4 milkshake sachets out of 5

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The company Kroc worked for prior to founding McDonald's, Prince Castle, still exists, and supplies McDonald's with much of its equipment.
    • Goofs
      When Ray arrives in San Bernadino and is first being served at Macdonald's he is standing at the right side of the serving counter when the film pans back he is now standing and walking away from the left hand side of the counter.
    • Quotes

      Ray Kroc: Now, I know what you're thinkin'. How the heck does a 52-year-old, over-the-hill milkshake-machine salesman... build a fast-food empire with 16,000 restaurants, in 50 states, in 5 foreign countries... with an annual revenue of in the neighborhood of $700,000,000.00... One word... PERSISTENCE. Nothing in this world can take the place of good old persistence. Talent won't. Nothing's more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius won't. Unrecognized genius is practically a cliche. Education won't. Why the world is full of educated fools. Persistence and determination alone are all powerful.

    • Crazy credits
      During the opening/closing credits, the real Ray A Kroc is heard giving an interview about how he came to buy out McDonald's.
    • Connections
      Featured in Conan: Nick Offerman/Johnny Pemberton/Dorothy (2016)
    • Soundtracks
      Mister Tap Toe
      Written by Rich Dehr (as Richard Dehr), Terry Gilkyson, Frank Miller

      Performed by Doris Day with Paul Weston and His Orchestra and The Norman Luboff Choir

      Courtesy of Columbia Records

      By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

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    FAQ

    • How long is The Founder?
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 20, 2017 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Twitter
    • Languages
      • English
      • Yiddish
    • Also known as
      • Hambre de Poder
    • Filming locations
      • Coweta County, Georgia Administration Building parking lot - 22 East Broad Street, Newnan, Georgia, USA(The original octagonal McDonald brothers restaurant)
    • Production companies
      • The Weinstein Company
      • FilmNation Entertainment
      • Faliro House Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $12,786,053
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,404,102
      • Jan 22, 2017
    • Gross worldwide
      • $24,121,245
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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