****
Dir: John Lee Hancock (12A, 115 mins)
Part underdog story, part Trumpian nightmare, The Founder tells the story of McDonalds’ birth, and the fast food restaurant would revolutionise the way everyone consumes. Michael Keaton is superb as Ray Kroc, a down at heel milkshake machine salesman who takes a drive out to a restaurant on the off chance to peddle his wares. He discovers the McDonald brothers, Mac and Dick, played by John Carroll Lynch and Nick Offerman, who have made their burger bar streamlined and efficient, ensuring food is produced in lightning quick time. Sniffing an opportunity, Kroc wants to take their model nationwide and leaps on it with little regard for the principles of the brothers, who want to ensure quality over taking a quick buck. Initially partners, Kroc’s ruthless business acumen soon causes a split as the dark side of the American dream tramples over care for your fellow man. Keaton is excellent, making Kroc someone you can root for and despise, and the final third of the film is chilling as the true nature of American capitalism rears its ugly head. Very timely and gripping, The Founder has plenty to say about the divided America we see today.
Out Feb 17