Tony (2026)★ 7.7/10

It’s 1975. TONY (Dominic Sessa) is an aspiring writer who doesn’t get what he wants, so he follows his high-school crush to Provincetown, where he meets an acclaimed chef (Antonio Banderas). Yes, this is a biopic of Anthony Bourdain, iconic chef, but it feels small and intimate because it’s only about one summer in Provincetown that changed the trajectory of his life forever. Adapted from his book Kitchen Confidential, this coming-of-age story is about a boy becoming a young man and discovering his passion in life. Sessa was the breakout star of THE HOLDOVERS, and he kills it here, showing Bourdain’s cockiness and intellect. His performance deftly balances on a tightrope between arrogant liar and romantic underdog. Banderas is great too, the chemistry between them being the core of the movie. The banter in the kitchen is fun and feels authentic. I really enjoy Matt Johnson movies. From the stress of BLACKBERRY to the heartfelt wackiness of NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE, each of them is unique in their execution. His creative partner Jay McCarrol does the music here, and it’s perfect. It’s shot by cinematographer Michael Bauman, who just came from ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. This is a captivating character study about how experience molds character. Overall, TONY is comfort food for the soul, with a crispy edge and great presentation. Remember, sometimes less is more.