100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 124: The Founder

Director: John Lee Hancock
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch, Linda Cardellini, B.J. Novak, Laura Dern, Patrick Wilson

Description: The story of Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a salesman who turned two brothers' (Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch) innovative fast food eatery, McDonald's, into the biggest restaurant business in the world, with a combination of ambition, persistence, and ruthlessness.

Review: For over sixty years we’ve been enjoying McDonald’s food now. In that time, the franchise has grown to be THE fast food restaurant. Everywhere in the world the food tasts the same. McDonald’s was a pioneer in developing techniques and strategies to deliver the costumer a burger, fries and milkshake within 30 seconds. This all started in the late ‘40s.
We meet Ray Kroc (played phenomenally by Michael Keaton) who is trying to sell his revolutionary milkshake machine to restaurants, but doesn’t seem to succeed. Even though Kroc is a smooth talker, no one seems to buy it. It comes as a surprise when the owner of a burger restaurant in California wants to buy several from him. Out of curiousity , Kroc visits the restaurant and meets brothers Dick and Mac McDonald. They have developed a method to produce hamburgers fast and they taste amazing. Kroc manages to convince the brothers to work with him, to open more McDonald’s restaurants in America. But the brothers want to call the shots.
John Lee Hancock created a very strong origins story. When you think, from the title alone, that Ray Kroc is the founder of McDonald’s, you’re wrong. At first, the deal is friendly and Kroc listens to the brothers. But eventually Kroc walks away with the success, the money AND the name McDonald’s. A name the actual McDonald brothers weren’t allowed to use anymore. Kroc smelled money and success and became greedy and ruthless.
Michael Keaton really got his comeback since he starred in “Birdman”. Again he shows us what a fabulous actor he is. He steals the show in “The Founder”, he makes it a good movie. At first you sympathize with Kroc, you wish him fortune. But eventually you feel some aversion towards him.
The film might not be very surprising plot wise, but the way to success is told very well. But especially Keaton’s performance is a reason to watch “The Founder”.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 122: Saving Mr. Banks

Director: John Lee Hancock
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 125 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell, B.J. Novak, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Rachel Griffiths, Bradley Whitford, Ruth Wilson, Kathy Baker

Description: Author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) reflects on her childhood after reluctantly meeting with Walt Disney (Tom Hanks), who seeks to adapt her Mary Poppins books for the big screen.

Review: Walt Disney tried to get the movie rights for the book “Mary Poppins” for twenty years. Author P.L. Travers was afraid that Disney would turn her beloved book into a musical. When she has money trouble and might lose her house, she decides to meet with Walt Disney in Los Angeles. But the happy Walt and the unfriendly Pamela are like water and fire.
To make a film based on a story which outcome we all know, is always a risk. The question in “Saving Mr. Banks” is if the movie “Mary Poppins” will ever be made. We all know that it was a huge success, but not a lot of people know how this movie actually happened. Travers didn’t want to give her character to anyone. Why she has such a special bond with the nanny is something we learn along the way. We see how a young Travers grow up in rough Australia. Her father, a beautiful role by Colin Farrell, is a loving man but he has a drinking problem. Their relationship is very strong, but a tragedy makes sure Travers will always be traumatized.
A movie about Disney, made by Disney. It surprisingly has a lot of self-mockery. For instance the scene where P.L. Travers arrives at her hotel in L.A. which is filled with enormous stuffed Disney animals. Emma Thompson has perfect comedic timing.
We all know that Thompson is a great actress, but in “Saving Mr. Banks” she really excels. She turns a rather unpleasant women into a women you love. Tom Hanks doesn’t look like Disney, but he brings a certain nuance to his role. Disney isn’t only a big kid that makes dreams come true, but also a businessman. Hanks does this very well. Colin Farrell plays a role like never before. I never saw Farell like this and I loved him in “Saving Mr. Banks”. Also Paul Giamatti and Jason Schwartzman were great in their roles.
“Saving Mr. Banks” is a lovely film carried by a fantastic cast. Although we all know how it ends, how “Mary Poppins” was made is such a wonderful story. Humor and emotion are very close and Emma Thompson played one of her best roles of her career.

Rating: 4/ 5

Video of the Week (24)

This week I found a video that really touched me as a teacher. Actor B.J. Novak wrote a children's book, without any pictures. This proves the power of words. And just the reaction of the children, amazing.