Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Tony Review Finds Warmth in Young Anthony Bourdain Story
Tony is a movie about Anthony Bourdain when he was young.
It takes place during the summer of 1975.
Tony wants to win a writing fellowship and impress a girl named Nancy.
He goes to Provincetown after taking money from home.
When his money disappears, a restaurant owner lets him sleep at his house.
Tony must work washing dishes in the kitchen.
He sees that restaurant work is difficult, exciting, and sometimes dangerous.
The movie shows him discovering that he may want to work with food after all.
The review says the film is warm and simple, especially because of Antonio Banderas’s performance.
Tony follows a young Anthony Bourdain during the summer of 1975.
Bourdain travels to Provincetown after stealing money to pursue Nancy.
A restaurant owner known as Chef lets him stay and work in his kitchen.
The film explores Bourdain’s shift from aspiring writer toward a culinary career.
The review praises Antonio Banderas and the cinematography but finds Dominic Sessa’s performance limited.
- Who
- The film follows a young Anthony Bourdain, played by Dominic Sessa, alongside Chef, played by Antonio Banderas.
- What
- Tony tells the story of Bourdain’s early experiences in a Provincetown restaurant kitchen.
- When
- The story is set in the summer of 1975.
- Where
- The story takes place mainly in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
- Why
- Tony goes to Provincetown to pursue Nancy after failing to secure a writing fellowship and later works in a kitchen when his money runs out.
- Film
- Tony
- Director
- Matt Johnson
- Source material
- The initial chapters of Anthony Bourdain’s memoir Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
- Setting
- Provincetown, Massachusetts, in summer 1975
- Lead actor
- Dominic Sessa as Tony
- Key supporting actor
- Antonio Banderas as Chef
- Review rating
- 3.5 stars