Director Matt Johnson’s film “Tony” takes a stylized approach to Anthony Bourdain’s formative years, presenting less of a traditional biography and more of a coming-of-age narrative centered on one transformative summer. Rather than treating its subject matter with reverence, the movie follows the restless and troubled young Bourdain during his time in Provincetown, Massachusetts in 1975, when he was far removed from becoming the celebrated chef and television personality he would eventually become.
The film stars Dominic Sessa as the younger version of Bourdain, portraying him as an arrogant and self-destructive teenager pursuing a romantic interest while attempting to reinvent himself. His trajectory shifts when he encounters a weathered Portuguese chef, played by Antonio Banderas, who offers him work washing dishes at a local restaurant. This pivotal moment sets Bourdain on a path of self-discovery amid kitchen work and misadventure.
Johnson’s interpretation deliberately avoids the reverent tone typical of biographical films about famous figures. Instead, it functions as an unconventional story about youthful transformation, allowing viewers to appreciate the narrative on its own merits separate from knowledge of Bourdain’s later fame. The film opens in select theaters on August 7th before expanding nationwide on August 21st.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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