The Founder (2016)

This movie tells the story of Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's--that's not McDonald's the restaurant, but McDonald's the chain. It was a very interesting story that I didn't know about, a story of American business. It is really specially American. Ray Kroc essentially steals the idea and runs with it. He's concerned with money and money only. Who's the hero in this movie? I don't think it really glorifies American business. Michael Keaton does not play a particularly likable character. And his character does despicable things in the name of greed. And really, we have him to thank for America's fast-food reputation. Fast food could've been tasty and fresh and still fast if the McDonald brothers had any say. They were about quality control. Where is that now?

And the movie is really all about business. Ray's personal life is totally secondary. Laura Dern's role is very small. She plays his wife. And as their marriage falls apart, we don't really get to much insight. His second wife features in a few scenes. But we don't really see their relationship develop. It's all business all the time.

The best scene is the one in which the McDonald brothers explain their brilliant concept to Ray Kroc. There is a great rhythmic cadence to the scene that has excitement and momentum. It's really magical how they build their restaurant from the ground up bringing a new restaurant design and concept to the world. The brothers have fantastic awkward chemistry with each other, co-telling this story. The scene works really beautifully.