SummaryThe true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers' speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brot... Read More
Directed By:John Lee Hancock
Written By:Robert Siegel
The Founder
Metascore
Generally Favorable
66
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
My Score
Drag or tap to give a rating
Hover and click to give a rating
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
66
66% Positive
31 Reviews
31 Reviews
32% Mixed
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
2% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Jan 17, 2017
100
It’s some of Keaton’s finest work. It’s also the first great movie I’ve seen in 2017.
Nov 22, 2016
80
The extent of Kroc’s greed is The Founder’s unique playing card, and John Lee Hancock delivers it with a depressingly special sauce.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
81% Positive
200 Ratings
200 Ratings
17% Mixed
41 Ratings
41 Ratings
2% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
Jan 1, 2020
10
This is a good movie if you ever wondered if all psychopaths look like Hannibal Lector. The definition of a psychopath is someone who acts in their own self interest 100% of the time. Michael Keaton absolutely owns this role, he plays it with a charm and energy that captures a character no one else could play. He is essentially correct that there is something magical about McDonalds, whether you like their food or not. Realistically there is nothing to like about their food, but they do feed 1% of the planet on any given day, at the cost of the environment and the planet itself. It is worth considering what in their image is so appealing that people line up all day every day for their garbage, and the genesis of the idea is captured here very well in the twinkle in Michael Keaton's eye.
Aug 11, 2017
10
So, I caught this on Netflix last weekend. I had been wanting to watch this for some time and finally I had the chance. This was such a good movie and on every level. Excellent story, excellent acting and fantastic directing. This was the "pick-me-up" I needed to reignite my faith in movies after watching the disappointing and expensive Valerian at the theater a few weeks back. Thank you Weinsteins for this terrific movie.
Jan 19, 2017
75
Keaton is fun to watch — fun and a little bit eerie. He plays Ray as all drive and no soul.
Jan 19, 2017
70
The Founder, John Lee Hancock’s film about Ray Kroc, is kind of a mess, which makes it perfect for the current political climate.
Feb 17, 2017
60
A satire of capitalist can-do thinking lurks in The Wrestler/Turbo writer Robert D. Siegel’s script, yet Hancock (Saving Mr. Banks) lacks the stomach to do full justice to its vision of the American dream plummeting into a nightmare.
Nov 29, 2016
59
The Founder never steps up to become the biting satire of American capitalism it so begs to be. The film is not here to praise Ray Kroc, but neither is it here to bury him.
Dec 7, 2016
38
Michael Keaton's powerful performance in The Founder is marooned in a wishy-washy story.
Apr 1, 2017
10
What is so fascinating about this story is the interesting twist it brings about success. And how elusive and strange the goddess of fortune really is.
Ray Kroc may listen all he wants about "persist-ency and determination" but in the end it's all luck, more luck and a lot of unethical behavior.
A must see for all those "experts" in the science of success. And the countless books they write on the subject.
Apr 21, 2018
6
A good summary of the story of the McDonald's restaurants. In the end this movie ended up not being very impactful.
Aug 10, 2017
6
It's always interesting to see a character who goes after a dream and to be reminded that true success faces constant obstacles despite mythic tales that stars are born not made. However, aside from business dealings and accidental friendships, The Founder is short on personal details. It hints that his love life is important but vaguely describes their dramatic directions. Also, if you read between the lines, it appears that Kroc is quite uncaring and an unforgiving business man but instead exalts his tenacity.
Aug 9, 2017
6
The Founder is as solid film, nothing much to criticize. I actually liked Blow Job Novak in here. Keaton is fine, the side characters are acceptable too
Aug 15, 2020
2
Bland biopic with nothing interesting to say or any interesting direction. Even Keaton can't save this one. Yawn.
Production Company:
- The Weinstein Company
- FilmNation Entertainment
- Faliro House Productions
- The Combine
Release Date:Jan 20, 2017
Duration:1 h 55 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:He took someone else's idea and America ate it up.
Awards
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards
• 3 Nominations
Capri, Hollywood
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Gran Premio Internazionale del Doppiaggio
• 1 Nomination
