The Unvarnished Portrait of Anthony Bourdain’s Past

The recent biopic “Tony” is notable not only for its unflinching portrayal of Anthony Bourdain’s flaws but also for showing what happens when writers are given the freedom to tell a story their way. Behind this film is a story about two screenwriters who took a risk on a project that might have seemed like a long shot.

Todd Bartels and Lou Howe, both seasoned writers with credits to their name, had been itching to tackle a biopic after writing the script for “Dumb Blonde,” which landed them on the Black List of best unproduced screenplays in 2022. However, when they met with Anthony Bourdain’s estate, they were told to come back with more. It wasn’t until the WGA strike of 2023 that they took a chance and wrote the script as a spec, eventually landing director Matt Johnson and star Dominic Sessa.

This biopic defies trends in several ways. Unlike many biopics that gloss over their subject’s imperfections, “Tony” leans into Bourdain’s rougher edges, showcasing his own words about needing a good ass-kicking during this period of his life. This unflinching portrayal is a testament to the estate’s willingness to allow an honest account of Bourdain’s past.

The film’s writers were not just executive producers but also observed how director Johnson and his team operated, learning from them in real-time. Bartels notes that bringing “Tony” to life in Provincetown, where Bourdain spent his formative summers, was a dream come true. The film’s unflinching portrayal of its subject’s past is a testament to the power of creative freedom and honest storytelling.

The success of “Tony” highlights the benefits of giving writers the freedom to shape their own projects. Bartels and Howe’s willingness to take risks on this biopic has paid off in a big way, not just for them but also for the industry as a whole. By allowing writers to experiment with different styles and genres, studios can tap into new talent and create innovative films that resonate with audiences.

The film industry has long been criticized for its sanitized approach to biopics. “Tony” shows what can happen when studios are willing to take risks on honest storytelling. This model is not just limited to biopics but could also be applied to other genres, allowing writers the freedom to experiment and create innovative films that resonate with audiences.

The impact of “Tony” on writer-creators like Bartels and Howe cannot be overstated. Their willingness to take risks on this biopic has paid off in a big way, not just for them but also for the industry as a whole. This approach is particularly important for writer-creators who want to move beyond mere spec scripts.

The film “Tony” should serve as a model for how writers can shape their own projects and create innovative films that resonate with audiences. The industry’s willingness to take risks on honest storytelling could lead to more nuanced and engaging films that capture the complexity of human experience.

As the film industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see whether studios continue to approach biopics in a similar way. Will they allow writers to create unvarnished portraits that capture the complexity of human experience? The success of “Tony” has set a new standard for biopics and collaborative storytelling, one that prioritizes creative freedom and honest storytelling.