Tony

Dominic Sessa is good, up to the point when Tony wants him to convey the confusion and callowness of youth. However, his performance doesn't transcend that.

A zesty, energetic biopic about a teenage Anthony Bourdain, Matt Johnson’s second film this year is an act of controlled chaos, tapping into the nostalgia of naïve youth while examining how creativity is born. Led by an incredible ensemble, its imperfect answers make for one of the finest and thorniest coming-of-age films in recent years. It’s a blast.

Tony is maybe one of the best films of the year, and this is coming from someone who doesn't gel often with biopics, but here, the subject is fascinating and the team bringing his story to life is doing so in such a way that it feels genuine and full of passion. The performances are top-level, so much so that it is easy to see this being heavily awarded during awards season.

“Tony” reminds us that it’s the meal we eat today that satisfies us.

Tony's slow-burn treatment may not be everyone's cup of tea, but those willing to savour rather than rush through will find a thoughtful character study anchored by Dominic Sessa's nuanced performance.

Matt Johnson's Tony follows a 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain through a formative summer in Provincetown kitchens. The film focuses on the restless young man behind the legend, making it a story of becoming rather than arrival.