A24's new film "Tony" offers a glimpse into the formative years of the late celebrity chef, author, and travel host Anthony Bourdain. Directed by Matt Johnson and starring Dominic Sessa as a young Bourdain, the dramedy captures the celebrity's self-described youthful "spoiled, miserable, narcissistic, self-destructive and thoughtless" nature.
The film is set in the summer of 1975 and follows 19-year-old Tony (Sessa), an aspiring writer from New Jersey who believes he is destined for a prestigious fellowship. When this aspiration falters, he travels to Cape Cod to pursue Nancy (Emilia Jones), a woman he has become fixated on, only to discover she is unavailable.
![Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain in A24's "Tony."]( "Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain in A24's "Tony." (Seacia Pavao/A24)")
In need of money and lodging, Tony takes a job washing dishes at a small lobster restaurant in Provincetown. There, he encounters "Chef" (Antonio Banderas), the no-nonsense owner whose personality clashes with the young Tony. This unexpected mentorship in the kitchen marks a significant turning point in Tony's life.
Johnson, who previously directed "BlackBerry" and "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie," co-wrote "Tony" with Matthew Miller, Todd Bartels, and Lou Howe. The screenplay aims to balance Bourdain's distinctive humor with his early personal struggles.
Sessa's performance as Tony has been noted for its ability to evoke laughter, convey irritation, and elicit sympathy, effectively embodying Bourdain's spirit. Antonio Banderas, in his role as Tony's tough-talking boss and mentor, delivers a performance that provides both comedic and poignant moments.
The film runs for 1 hour and 46 minutes and is rated R for pervasive language, drug use, and sexual content/nudity. "Tony" is currently in theaters. Reviewers have praised the film as a charming coming-of-age dramedy that effectively explores how Anthony Bourdain became the beloved public figure he was, with Sessa and Banderas receiving particular acclaim and Johnson solidifying his status as a promising comedic filmmaker.