In the summer of 1975, a young Anthony Bourdain thought he knew what his career path would be, but constant hustling is never a solid plan. Following your passions is one thing, but when it becomes a rapidly spiraling web of live and proverbial tap-dancing, it will catch up sooner or later. Thankfully, he found what his true calling was and became one of the most popular and beloved food professionals of our time, and that summer’s turning point is at the center of director Matt Johnson’s (who did this year’s Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie as well as the dark biopic Blackberry in 2023) Tony.
On the surface, the choice for Dominic Sessa to play the title role seems a bit off-the-path, he absolutely OWNS the role of Anthony Bourdain with a dual presentation of a man who has it all together in public to a man whose sad vulnerability on the inside fuels both a drive and a level of anger to be the writer he feels he deserves to be is nothing short of stellar. It may be a bit early to talk about awards nominations here, but don’t be shocked if there is at least some sort of recognition here.
In one particular scene, Tony tells high-school classmate Karen (Emilia Jones, Task and The Running Man) that he wants her to take his picture because he “likes the way he feels when you look at me,” and her performance also shows exactly why. Recently named one of Variety magazines “10 Actors to Watch,” she not only breaks down Tony to his core, but I felt it as well. She brings the strength of character that balance’s Sessa’s faux confidence and breaks down his walls while wanting to believe all of the things he is saying to her in a way that sells the character on a top-notch level. Their chemistry alone is worth the price of admission.
There is also Leo Woodall (who already is on a roll with this year’s Tuner) as Sal, the guy who becomes Tony’s running buddy in Providence and a man who lives a little too fast and loose that feeds Tony’s inner chaos almost to a point of no return. His performance is also incredibly strong and even though I knew where his character arc was headed, his journey in parallel with Tony’s was equally fascinating.
But wait, there’s more…
I said it as soon as Tony’s credits finished rolling, and I stand by it: Antonio Banderas may have a hammerlock on Best Supporting Actor as the man simply known as “Chef”. From the moment he arrives on screen to deal with a drunken and belligerent Tony to become his mentor is nothing short of flawless. He is equal parts Yoda, Mr. Miyagi, and even Kung Fu Panda’s Shifu in a way that he becomes more of Tony’s father that Tony’s own with a soft side that also makes him the perfect foil for Tony’s hard exterior. I have been a fan of this man’s for decades, and he is LONG overdue for a role like this that demands to be notice.
All the way down to Tony’s soundtrack, which feels to be cultivated from one of Bourdain’s personal playlists, and this film is almost perfect. In a year that is just over the halfway point, this is a film that stands out amongst some powerhouse presentations that will give even the strongest of films a run for its money. As a guy that has never gone on too deep of a dive with the title character, this story fascinated me so much that I want to learn more and even start a binge of his shows. See this film as quickly as possible!