Fries sizzling in oil, drink machines buzzing, burgers being flipped and an iconic logo. No, this isn’t SpongeBob. Does the catchphrase “I’m Lovin It!” ring a bell? You may be able to picture it in your mind now, good smells and lines of people. I’m sure you’ve been here before.  

McDonald’s is arguably one of the most well known and iconic food places. It may not differ strongly to places like White Castle in terms of food, but it’s popularity has skyrocketed throughout the years. It’s shocking success has led to worldwide expansion.

I, like you, was not born knowing the history of McDonalds, nor was it taught to me in school. I’ve been in the fast food place many times, and I’m sure you have too. In order to find out the history behind the fries I was eating, there exists The Founder, a movie released in 2016 and now available on Netflix, which entails the beginnings of the golden arches.

Salesman Ray Kroc (played by Michael Keaton) is struggling for business. But when he eats at McDonald’s, whose design and speed was like none he had ever seen, hee ends up turning a small restaurant invented by humble brothers into the biggest sensation around.

In the beginning of the movie I immediately loved Ray’s persistence; his character was bold and I wanted to know more about him. The brothers in charge of McDonald’s were charming, warm-hearted people with an end goal to make people happy. From the start, their interests seemed mismatched, but much like the brothers I was fooled by Ray’s exterior.

Slowly but surely, Ray starts a contract with the men and begins on a quest to expand the business. He began with good intentions but ended up being a controlling shark, with no regard for the brothers’ original ideas.

In all honesty, this movie kept me hanging on until the end. Ray’s deceptionist character was vague enough in the beginning so that when he was revealed for who he truly was, I could not have seen his ruthlessness coming.

I sincerely think the movie was very well made, and those interested in the business industry would deeply enjoy this. I don’t particularly find an interest in it, but this movie might have sparked a new desire to learn more about what really goes on behind the facade of advertisements.

For those who get easily bored and distracted, the beginning may be very off-putting. It has a slow start, but it is, in all honesty, worth the watch. I am not an emotional viewer, but I was almost left in tears. This wasn’t a movie I would usually catch myself or my friends watching, but the truth is that I would recommend it to all.

Overall, this is a shocking demonstration of real heart and soul effort being turned into cold hard capitalist ventures. With a dense plot that only becomes increasingly tense as the movie progresses, it is a definite must watch.

Try eating McDonald’s after watching the movie, I dare you.