The new biopic "Tony" delves into the formative years of the celebrated chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain, charting his path from a dishwasher to a burgeoning culinary figure. Directed by Matt Johnson and starring Dominic Sessa as a 19-year-old Bourdain, the film depicts his summer in Provincetown in 1975, pursuing his then-crush and future wife, Nancy Putkoski, played by Emilia Jones.
While the movie draws inspiration from Bourdain's own reflections, particularly his 2000 memoir "Kitchen Confidential," it also incorporates dramatized elements for narrative effect. Bourdain's longtime assistant, Laurie Woolever, has noted that the chef might not have appreciated the extensive public dissection of his personal life, suggesting he "would've hated this."
Early Summers and Kitchen Beginnings
The film portrays Bourdain following Nancy to Provincetown while he was a student at Vassar College. Bourdain alluded to this period in "Kitchen Confidential," writing that he graduated high school early to pursue "the object of my desire" but offered little detail, only noting that friends were also joining him that summer.
In "Tony," Bourdain's initial job is depicted at a seafood restaurant called The Flagship. The movie adds a dramatic subplot involving an encounter with Nancy that leads to him being drunk and ejected from the bar, subsequently taken in by the restaurant's owner. In reality, Bourdain secured the job simply out of need for money, with friends helping him find the position. He described it as a common entry point for transient dishwashers in the seasonal restaurant business.
Scenes depicting Nancy working at Spiritus Pizza were filmed at the actual location, confirmed by the pizza shop's Instagram account. This detail aligns with Bourdain's account of sleeping on top of the walk-in cooler at the pizza shop after befriending the owner, and eventually marrying Nancy.
Kitchen Dramas and Mentors
"Tony" also dramatizes events within the kitchen environment. One subplot involves a coworker, Sal, engaging in sexual activity with a bride while her groom and family are dining inside the restaurant. Bourdain documented a similar incident in "Kitchen Confidential," attributing it to a chef named Bobby. This event was cited by Bourdain as a moment that solidified his desire to become a chef.
Another scene illustrates Bourdain burning his hands on a hot pan and seeking help from a more experienced kitchen worker, Tyrone, who then demonstrates his toughness by handling the hot pan with his bare hands. Bourdain recounted this in his book as a humbling experience that identified him as an "obnoxious" pretender. However, the real Tyrone recalled the event differently, stating he used a towel to handle the pan, finding the idea of using his bare hands "insane."
The film features a character named Chef, portrayed by Antonio Banderas, who is based on a mentor Bourdain referred to as "Bigfoot" in "Kitchen Confidential." Director Matt Johnson included this character intentionally, recognizing the significant influence "Bigfoot" had on shaping Bourdain's persona and career, calling him "50 percent these pirates he met in the kitchens at Provincetown and 50 percent Bigfoot."
"Tony" is currently in theaters.