How it’s New York: Premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival
How it’s Irish: I was particularly taken with Bourdain’s affinity for the Irish culture and food when he visited Ireland on both his shows No Reservations and The Layover
I was thrilled this year to have the opportunity to review this film as part of its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Today Friday July 16t, 2021 marks its official opening day in theaters and online on the AppleTV+ platform.
I’ve long been a fan of Anthony Bourdain, and like many I was dumfounded by his untimely death and longed to learn more about the demons that were haunting him and led to such an unfortunate end to his brilliant and prolific career.
I spent many evenings tucked in with a beverage or a snack to bathe in the words, sounds and exciting ride of his adventures around the world, and this film definitely delivers a look back at what an incredible and full life he lead. I adored his visits to Ireland in his television programs with his seeming to disappear into the crowds of people, find the out-of-the way places to stop, have a pint and a chat, or introduce us to a hidden gem of fine cuisine in Dublin to make our mouths water and our hearts beat faster. He embodied so much Irish spirt, and his spritely presence on-screen would make you think he had a bit of leprechaun in his blood!
Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?) has interviewed a cross section of his friends, colleagues and family to add intriguing insight into the other side of the energetic, loquacious and charismatic character of Bourdain. He paints a picture of a creative, passionate and incredibly troubled soul who struggled with love, fame and even his own sense of purpose, while giving us all hours of informative and entertaining programs. He had a real way of making you feel like you were right there on the journey with him, and it almost left me with that feeling of “how could I not have seen this coming?” that you get when a loved-one is struggling unbeknownst to you.
The whole air of the film, interspersed with the Punk music that so informed and orchestrated his life is very much as I think he would have wanted it. Poking fun, showing him enjoying himself, and by association allowing others to enjoy life too. He definitely lived fast and left way too soon!
There are wonderful behind the scenes shots and conversations with his collaborators on his two major Television shows No Reservations and Parts Unknown; Chris Collins and Lydia Tenaglia. Their stories show the brilliance and human aspects of his life. The way he had no filters, always went forging ahead with his ideas, had a true writers attitude toward everything he created, trying to cram as much into every experience he could. And yet he also had periods where the creative muses eluded him and he was a man simply searching for love, loving being a dad and wondering what more he could wring out of life that would make him feel complete. Not different from most us when you dig down deep.
As with his shows, you hear a lot of his own voice throughout the film and there are great pieces with his brother Chris Bourdain, footage of them visiting a family beach home that seems almost as specter to them both, and hilarious behind the scenes out-takes and conversations with his friends John Lurie, Éric Ripert, and Joel Rose and scenes of him relaxing and playing with his beloved daughter!
I’m looking forward to going to see it on a big screen, and here’s the trailer to give you a flavor of what you’ll see: ROADRUNNER Trailer.
If only he could have eluded that coyote a bit longer, we could have all had more adventures with him. Á bientôt Anthony and see you further on down the road!
