This New 94%-Rated Biopic Doesn't Care About Being Accurate – and That's Exactly Why It's Brilliant

In recent years, the biopic genre has experienced a true renaissance, however, not every flick manages to escape the fate of being a boring wax museum, where every detail is meticulously crafted yet devoid of life.

That's why Matt Johnson's Tony is a breath of fresh air for those tired of formulaic rise-to-fame stories. The film chronicles the early life of Anthony Bourdain, the legendary chef, writer, and TV host whose tragic death in 2018 shocked millions of fans.

Instead of a traditional, chronological biography, Johnson offers something different – rather than reconstructing the past, he recreates the myth Bourdain cultivated in his memoirs.

What Is 'Tony' About?

The story begins in 1975 with 19-year-old Tony studying at a prestigious college and dreaming of literary fame. After failing a literary scholarship exam, he travels to the picturesque town of Provincetown in search of meaning and love, hoping to find the girl of his dreams, Nancy.

Unwilling to return home penniless and in disgrace, Tony takes a job washing dishes at a seafood restaurant. There, he meets a stern but fair chef.

Under the chef's mentorship, Tony is immersed in the brutal and simultaneously captivating world of the professional kitchen – a world where burns, cuts, endless shifts, and rigid hierarchies reign supreme.

Matt Johnson Refused to Caricature a Real Person – It's One of 'Tony's Greatest Strengths

Dominic Sessa rose to fame for his role in the Oscar-winning The Holdovers and he displays incredible depth and maturity as the young Bourdain. Importantly, Sessa doesn't imitate the TV host's famous raspy voice or exaggerate the habits of the mature chef.

Tony isn't a future legend – he's simply an awkward, arrogant, and sometimes downright unpleasant young man who is convinced that the world hasn't recognized his genius quickly enough.

The director's decision proves wise: instead of turning the movie into a caricature-driven experience, Johnson gives viewers the opportunity to see a real person with weaknesses and mistakes.

He understands that a true biography is made not of grand achievements but of difficult choices, so he generously gives Tony the opportunity to make mistakes, learn from them, and ultimately become who he is destined to be.

'Tony' Is a Sincere Tribute to the Chaos of Real Life

Johnson's ability to avoid the pitfall of glorifying every moment of the main character's life and turning it into part of a grand plan is particularly admirable.

Tony wonderfully combines elements of a semi-biographical drama, a road movie, and a coming-of-age culinary flick without one component overpowering the others.

The director respectfully depicts the world of the 1970s professional kitchen, which Bourdain later described as a pirate ship where drugs, abuse, burns, and sex coexisted with incredible loyalty among the crew.

Many of the episodes depicted in the film would likely raise questions among occupational health and safety experts today, but Johnson doesn't attempt to rewrite history or modernize the past – he simply captures it with documentary honesty, allowing us to draw our own conclusions.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Tony'?

• Tony has 94% from critics and 93% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.6/10.

• On Letterboxd, Tony scored 3.9/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Tony'?

Tony is currently playing in theaters.