A One Mann’s Movies review of “Tony”. (2026, 4.5*, 15).
Having been on a family holiday for the last week, I’m a week behind in catching up with Tony: the fascinating dramatised-biopic, loosely telling the story of how famous chef Anthony Bourdain and cooking first intersected. It’s a superb watch, even if some of the main characters are utterly dislikeable.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
Tony Bourdain (Dominic Sessa) – only his mother calls him Anthony – is a layabout student, wanting to be a writer but losing out on a writing scholarship. Lying to everyone he needs to, he bunks off to Provincetown, Massachusetts for the summer in pursuit of the girl of his dreams Nancy (Emilia Jones). But he needs some source of income and cleaning dishes in the kitchen of Chef (Antonio Banderas) seems to be his only option.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC website: “Strong language, drug misuse, brief sex.”)
Talent:
Starring: Dominic Sessa, Antonio Banderas, Emilia Jones, Leo Woodall, Stavros Halkias, Michael Jibrin, Monica Raymund, Rich Sommer, Dagmara Dominczyk, Liam Fitch.
Directed by: Matt Johnson.
Written by: Todd Bartels, Lou Howe, Matt Johnson & Matthew Miller.
Running Time: 1h 46m.
Review:
Positives:
- Given the 70s setting and that the lead role is held by the brilliantly moody Dominic Sessa from The Holdovers, this could almost be subtitled “what Angus did next”. Because the film reeks of the 1970’s, from its colour palette to the horribly outdated attitudes to Jaws playing at the local drive-in. Hell, given the small-town seaside location at the tip of Cape Cod, we are almost IN Amity itself. (Jaws was actually filmed about 2 hours drive south in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard.) The sense of time and place is wonderful.
- I often like to speculate about which films might make up the nominations for the ensemble cast award at the SAG’s and this is one that I think is up for contention. The cast all zing off each other beautifully:
- Dominic Sessa, who has SUCH a 70’s look, again knocks it out of the park as the lying, cheating wastrel student. It’s quite a trick, given what he does along the way, that you as the audience are willing to stick with him… just. A wonderfully flawed character.
- Leo Woodhall as the kitchen worker Sal is even more dislikeable. A character who literally puts notches in the bedpost for the girls he’s screwed and knows the ‘age of consent’ in every state. A drug-taking, violent, criminal, misogynistic arsehole who you love to hate. What a great departure in role for Woodhall who again is hyper-impressive to watch.
- Emelia Jones makes a wonderful addition to the cast as the love interest Nancy and her similar looks to Zooey Deschanel added a nostalgic 500 Days of Summer flavour to the romance for me.
- But, for me, standing head and shoulders over all of them is Antonio Banderas: a quiet but colossal acting performance that I think should be in consideration for an Academy Award nomination. As the unnamed “chef” he is the real heart of the film: a really mysterious character. He appears to have no partner, no real friends, but he is a stickler for timekeeping and, with his strong religious beliefs, rejects blasphemy almost as vehemently as Henry Jones Snr.
- The screenplay is also zinging, with some really great dialogue. As Tony builds his enthusiasm for the kitchen: “We’re going to start with this, a special. Every Friday something fancy but not pretentious. Something sexy, makes you want to fuck, you know?“. Another Oscar nomination perhaps?
- The needle drops in this are just great.
Negatives:
- The general mood among the crowd I saw this with seemed very positive. I guess the only reason you would not enjoy this film is if the characters in it so disgusted you that you refused to go along for the ride.
- We don’t go near the later parts of Bourdain’s life (not even in the closing captions). For those not in the know, there is a story dropped in about a French chef which might appear a bit incongruous without some background scene-setting.
Summary Thoughts:
Directed by Matt Johnson, who is new to me (I never saw Blackberry, or either of his mockumentary Nirvanna films), this is another A24 triumph: a terrific slice of 70’s drama that I highly recommend. A film likely to make my Top 20 for the year.
Where to watch?
Trailer:
The trailer for the film is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1MVnzd2aVc.
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