Tonight (Thursday 17 September) is your last chance to see Tony (15) on the Torch Theatre screen. As 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain travels to Provincetown, he stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that will shape the course of his life. Our community reviewer, Val Ruloff, went along to see this funny, warm and endlessly charming treat. Read her glowing review below ...

"Tony" leaves a lasting and bittersweet taste that lingers long afterwards. The film gave me an appetite for more helpings of the signature dish main course that is Mr Anthony Bourdain, the subject of "Tony". He was world renowned as a chef, highly acclaimed culinary traveller and food culture writer, with his own hugely successful television series including "No Reservations" and "Parts Unknown".

I knew very little about this fascinating man, previously. The film is partly based on his life story, concentrating on the period over a summertime in Cape Cod, when Anthony Bourdain was 19 years old and still known as "Tony". 

He left an abiding legacy following his loss in 2018, a legacy hallmarked by his own particular ideosyncracies and the captivating "wild child" image of cuisine's very own "rock star".

Matt Johnson is the director, also co-writer with Todd Bartels, Lou Howe and Matthew Miller. The film is well cast, with well-drawn characterisations. Roles are portrayed with stunning, stand-out performances by Dominic Sessa as Tony and Antonio Banderas as Chef. The leading performers are extremely well supported by Emilia Jones as Nancy, Leo Woodall as Sal, Stavros Halkias appears as Stavros, Michael Jibrin plays Tyrone and Tony's parents are played by Rich Sommer and Dagmara Dominczyk.

The light and photography capture scenic locations of Cape Cod beautifully. Mid- seventies period is a joy- and evoked very effectively and expressively.

Observations, actually quoted by Anthony Bourdain about himself, are made at the very start of the film- pulling no punches.
What's more, punches are what's delivered- literally. 

The story unfolds and we meet Tony stumbling around misguidedly and haplessly, desperately seeking the direction he thinks his path might take next. The scenes and experiences he encounters are graphic and visceral- he's seen all too frequently not to be covering himself in glory. Yet there is poignancy, touching moments and Tony manages to express a vulnerability. Some of the scenes are very moving, full of humour and funny. Tony receives some rude awakenings- courtesy of Chef's unique take on wake-up calls. Alarm calls at their finest. Amongst all of the blundering and chaos and in the unlikeliest of circumstances- Tony actually finds his place and makes the amazing discovery that becomes the inspiration he seeks. The all-consuming passion of his life. 

Now he's on his way, to studying at C.I.A.- no, not that one- the culinary institute. He is taking with him the letter of recommendation from Chef, who also studied there.

Providence has intervened- in Provincetown.