McDonald’s Appeals to the Shawshank Redemptionist in You

mcds-great-escape.jpg

The holidays — shopping, senile relatives, stuffing with raisins and endless variations on the nativity — aren’t for everyone. This Leo Burnett ad for McDonald’s depicts just such a guy.

The scene: charades by the Christmas tree with extended family. After an over-obvious movie mime (chest-pounding, monkey noises) that wins him “Brokeback Mountain…?”, he acts out the first two words of The Great Escape, then leaps into a secret tunnel that looks like it’s been dug with gravy spoons. Off to McD’s he goes.

The UK-based ad promotes McDonald’s “festive menu,” which launches Wednesday. A spokesperson told the Guardian it’s “strictly a turkey-free zone” to give customers “a haven to escape from some of the stressful Christmas activities, like shopping.”

Guess that makes sense. Nothing soothes the consumption-distressed soul like chicken … McNuggets.

Picture of Steve Hall

Steve Hall

RECENT ARTICLES

TRENDING AROUND THE WEB

10 small daily rituals that make ordinary life feel luxurious

10 small daily rituals that make ordinary life feel luxurious

Global English Editing

Quote of the day by John A. Shedd: “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for”

Quote of the day by John A. Shedd: “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for”

Global English Editing

Psychology says if you do these 9 things on a daily basis you’re probably a high-quality person

Psychology says if you do these 9 things on a daily basis you’re probably a high-quality person

Global English Editing

If you want to avoid guilt or regret as you get older, say goodbye to these 10 habits

If you want to avoid guilt or regret as you get older, say goodbye to these 10 habits

Global English Editing

The new normal of dating is hinting instead of saying what you really want

The new normal of dating is hinting instead of saying what you really want

Global English Editing

I adopted a senior dog nobody wanted—here’s why it was the most meaningful decision of my life

I adopted a senior dog nobody wanted—here’s why it was the most meaningful decision of my life

Global English Editing