Everyone starts somewhere. Sometimes the best people are the most annoying and pretentious teenagers, and it takes a massive reality check to put them on the path they are meant to follow. Satchel Paige once said, “Ain’t no man can avoid being born average, but ain’t no man got to be common.” Anthony Bourdain may not have been described as an average nineteen-year-old kid, but Tony tells us about the origin for a man who was anything but common.
Matt Johnson and his quirky storytelling (Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie) felt like a peculiar choice to direct a biopic on one of the most revered chefs who ever lived, but it perfectly fits the chaos that any kitchen experiences. Those who have worked in food service know exactly what I mean. For those that don’t, watch The Bear. That chaos is in lockstep throughout the narrative of Tony, but it creates an emotional and gut-wrenching dance that is impossible not to be enamored with. A beautiful coming of age story hidden within an incredibly real tale. The biggest note is how Johnson utilized many tight shots to pull the audience in while simultaneously representing the crushing feeling of uncertainty despite us knowing the result.
Massive credit to Todd Bartels and Lou Howe for writing a script that manages to suppress the knowledge of the result with a tight, relatable story that captures late teen angst, fear, hope, and idiocy. The character dynamics that develop the man we came to know as Tony could literally have been applied to anyone who had those bad friends or were those bad friends as well as those that hoped the best for us just because they believed in good.
Leo Woodall (Tuner) continues to be my first answer for the next big young star and his work in Tony supports that claim. His charm and commitment pop off the screen at every moment he has as Anthony’s first inspiration.
Less surprising is Antonio Banderas as the complete opposite to Woodall. Caring and quiet cool embraces even the audience. His performance begs for the better without ever needing to be loud. It is a father figure few are so lucky to have. His ability to grow a character without ever compromising that character would be an amazing study for aspiring actors.
Caught between them is Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers), who I still cannot believe is only a few years into his career. Every time he comes into frame, he demands attention. Not in a childish whine, but in presence, though the character exudes man-child on multiple occasions. Being only 23, one might think it is second nature for Sessa, but the care and deliberate delivery he has tells his true gifts for presentation. As someone fortunate enough to have had a couple drinks with the inspiration for the film, I love what Dominic Sessa does to show Tony at all levels of his growth within the picture.
For fans of cinema, cooking, or heartfelt stories, Tony is a must-watch experience when it hits theaters Augst 21st. We are fortunate to have some grand spectacles hitting theaters in 2026, but Tony stands among them uncompromising and unwavering in its heart, just like the man who inspired it.