I think I've been in awe of Michael Keaton since the first time I saw him on screen. As a kid, I think I watched Mr. Mom a hundred times and laughed just as hard during each viewing. There's just something so relate-able about Keaton's performances. He's a certifiable movie star, but he never once seems out of touch. His characters are filled with warmth and realism, and every one who dons Batman's cowl is chasing Keaton's run as the caped crusader. The Paper is also one of my all-time underrated movies. Then a crazy thing happened... Keaton went away for awhile. He took a few years off from full-time acting, appearing occasionally (his performance as a TLC-loving Bed Bath and Beyond boss is the best part of The Other Guys) in an occasional film from time to time. It wasn't until his career-defining role in Birdman hit the screen that I realized how much I missed Michael Keaton in my life.
While I'm glad that Keaton is back, it's also criminal that he's been overlooked in his work since coming back. He absolutely should have won Best Actor for Birdman, which is a role that will stand the test of time (does anyone even remember Eddie Redmayne's performance in The Theory Of Everything? I didn't think so.). He's appeared in two straight Best Picture winners, but has been overlooked for his acting on both occasions. That streak of Best Picture winners will end with The Founder, a shockingly overlooked awards season player. The fact that Keaton isn't even nominated for his tour de force performance as McDonald's kingpin, Ray Kroc, makes it even worse.
The Founder tells the story of how a failed salesman went on to head one of the largest, most recognizable companies in the world. Keaton shines from the very first frame, giving a building performance from nobody to tyrant without it once veering in to camp-style performance that any other actor could have taken it to. When he makes a turn to the dark side, he does it with such subtlety that you realize he's been that way the whole time. The audience falls under the Kroc spell just like the McDonald brothers did.
This is not a film without flaw. The story structure feels, at times, like a tried and true biopic. Laura Dern is vastly underutilized as Kroc's neglected wife. I also would have liked to see more of the story from the McDonald brothers side. Finally, I felt the story could have delved a little deeper into Kroc's motivation. You get glimpses into his motivations (Self-help records, failed marriage, nobody believes in him), but nothing is completely fleshed out. Maybe that was the purpose. Kroc is such a mythical figure in American culture, that nobody really knows why he did what he did. There is also the McDonald's story to tell, which eats up time that may have been used for more character development.
Ultimately, none of this matters because Keaton is such an ever-present force throughout the film. It's a shame that he didn't make the Best Actor cut. I hope he continues making these prestige films, and filling my screen with such wonderful characters.
I'm giving The Founder 3 out of 4 stars (4 stars for the Keaton performance). It's a fully satisfying film that deserves a bigger audience.
On a final note, a former Colby College classmate (and Newhouse alum!) of mine is an executive producer on this film. Congrats to her on making the Colby community proud!
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