Matt Johnson’s new film, Tony, offers a focused look at a specific period in the life of the late chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain. Eschewing the typical cradle-to-grave biopic structure, the film draws inspiration from the early chapters of Bourdain's 2000 memoir, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. Tony is set to premiere in select theaters on August 7, with a wider nationwide release scheduled for August 21.
The narrative centers on a fictionalized summer in the mid-1970s on Cape Cod, where a teenage Tony Bourdain, played by Dominic Sessa, discovers his burgeoning passion for food, travel, and culture. Sessa’s portrayal captures a version of Bourdain that is less than perfect – insolent and selfish, yet driven, incorporating details like a cocky swagger and nunchucks stashed in his belt. The film is a departure from Johnson's recent mockumentary "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie," sharing a more measured and intentional tone with his earlier work "BlackBerry." Like "The Social Network," Tony taps into the energetic, sometimes destructive, spirit of youthful ambition.
A Fictionalized Beginning
Tony begins with a highly fictionalized account of Bourdain's life, where he fabricates a story about a writing fellowship at Vassar to pursue his high school crush, Nancy, portrayed by Emilia Jones, in Cape Cod. With grand ambitions, the young, self-proclaimed author shares his dreams with anyone who will listen. This pursuit leads him to a job as a dishwasher at a local seafood restaurant, a fact he keeps hidden from his college peers. He finds himself living on the porch hammock of his Portuguese boss, referred to simply as “Chef,” played by Antonio Banderas.
The plot navigates Tony's developing relationship with Nancy in Provincetown while also exposing him to the adult world through his boss's experiences and the drug-fueled escapades of his coworker, Sal, played by Leo Woodall. The male figures in Tony's life each carry a distinct melancholy, contributing to a compelling set of performances. Woodall conveys a hidden sadness, while Banderas embodies a quiet acceptance of past regrets. These performances subtly inform casual interactions rather than overshadowing the central story. The bustling environment of the cramped kitchen serves as the film's vibrant core, showcasing the dynamics among supporting characters, including a verbose cook played by comedian Stavros Halkias, and Bourdain's evolving perspective on his circumstances.
Capturing Bourdain's Spirit
While the film adapts only a small portion of "Kitchen Confidential," imbuing the story with Bourdain's essence is a key achievement. Johnson successfully captures the snappy yet colorful tone of Bourdain's writing and his broadening perspective on food as a passion, an art form, and a cultural tradition. The film connects artistry and the artist, refusing to separate creativity from emotional impulses. Unlike "The Social Network," which framed Facebook’s creation as a manifestation of isolation, Tony suggests Bourdain's culinary explorations stemmed from romantic pursuits within a community setting.
One notable area where the film falls short is the character of Nancy, who remains underdeveloped beyond her narrative function, leading to some awkward "get the girl" framing. However, the story is filtered through the perspective of a teenage boy, highlighting what a character like Sessa's Bourdain might find compelling or alluring. The film moves swiftly, employing careful visual compositions that convey meaning instantly, allowing for rapid editing. Sessa is a captivating lead, portraying a young man searching for himself, albeit through mistakes that cause him to hurt those around him before learning from them.
Tony shares a feel-good, period-piece sensibility with Richard Linklater's "Everybody Wants Some!!," immersing the audience in its youthful exuberance. It evokes a sense of a time when the world felt vast and full of possibility, even under immense pressure.
Sessa's resemblance to director Matt Johnson in appearance and rapid-fire delivery adds a personal layer, suggesting the film's exploration of creative drive also reflects Johnson's own journey in filmmaking. Ultimately, Tony is a biopic sharply focused on the follies and vigor of youth.