The Founder

Synopsis

The Founder is a biographical drama film that depicts the true story of how Ray Kroc, a struggling salesman, transformed a small fast-food restaurant owned by Dick and Mac McDonald into the global empire of McDonald's. As Kroc's ambition and business acumen propel the restaurant franchise to unprecedented success, tensions arise between him and the McDonald brothers over control and ownership of the company. The film highlights the complexities of entrepreneurship, ambition, and the ruthless pursuit of the American Dream. Michael Keaton's powerful performance as Ray Kroc captures the charismatic yet morally ambiguous nature of the franchise pioneer.

Cast

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  Michael Keaton

  Ray Kroc

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  Nick Offerman

  Dick McDonald

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  John Carroll Lynch

  Mac McDonald

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  Linda Cardellini

  Joan Smith

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  B.J. Novak

  Harry J. Sonneborn

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  Laura Dern

  Ethel Kroc

Reviews

The Founder is a captivating film that offers a fascinating look at the rise of the McDonald's empire and the contentious relationships behind it. Critics have praised Michael Keaton's portrayal of Ray Kroc, with his nuanced performance capturing the various layers of the ambitious businessman. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a solid rating of 81%, commending the film for its engaging storytelling and compelling character development. IMDb rated it 7.2/10, indicating a strong overall reception from audiences. Metacritic also recognized the film with a score of 66/100, acknowledging its well-crafted narrative and historical significance. Overall, The Founder has received positive reviews for its portrayal of entrepreneurship and the cost of success.