After reading the first few pages of his book, “Kitchen Confidential”, I thought I wanted to be Anthony Bourdain. After savoring a couple of episodes of his TV show, “A Cook’s Tour” I knew I wanted to be Anthony Bourdain. When I was about to watch a film about the late Anthony Bourdain. I wasn’t sure how I felt.
“The highs were very, very high and the lows were very ugly.” Anthony Bourdain
The documentary is called “Roadrunner. A Film About Anthony Bourdain.”, and using clips from Bourdain’s TV series plus interviews with chefs like Eric Ripert and David Chang plus Bourdain’s friends, his brother, his exes, and his co-workers, director Morgan Neville delves into the complicated personality of the chef and his travels.
The only other film I’d ever seen by Neville was “20 Feet From Stardom”. I liked it a lot and I like “Roadrunner” even more.
The footage follows Bourdain from his days as a 44-year-old chef in the kitchen of Manhattan’s Les Halles, to his first book that exposed life inside that kitchen and his personal struggles with alcohol and drugs, through a second marriage and his difficulties juggling a family and a career.
“Here’s a little preemptive truth telling: There’s no happy ending.” Anthony Bourdain
On June 8, 2018, Anthony Bourdain took his own life. I sometimes think he may have taken a little of mine as well. I hoped that “Roadrunner” would, for me and the millions of his other followers answer the question “Why”.
I could relate to Anthony Bourdain perhaps more than any other television personality. When he went to Phucket, I went. When he went to Port-au-Prince, I went, When he went to Provence or Provincetown, I went. “Roadrunner” brought fond memories of the weird and wonderful that I shared with him on the 662,000 miles that he logged on his series with The Food Network and CNN.
“It wasn’t about food. It was about Tony becoming a better person.” David Chang
It would probably be impossible for me to not like a film about Anthony Bourdain. He inspired me to not only eat different foods, visit different places, but to live my life a little differently, to live it a little more to the fullest.
“How does a storyteller check out without leaving a note.” David Chang
Does “Roadrunner” explain why Anthony Bourdain chose to hang himself in a closet, why he decided to end it so suddenly? Not really, but it does help explain why the mystery might be unsolvable.
“Roadrunner. A Film About Anthony Bourdain” will be featured at San Miguel’s 2023 Food In Film Festival this Fall. You’ll find more information at https://www.foodinfilmsanmiguel.com.
The site says the event is happening this fall.
Yes, you’re right. Unfortunately no one told me.
So sad that Anthony took his own life. Those of us who followed his series are sad that he is gone. He was an inspiration to our food choices and travel.
Thanks for writing about him.
As I understand it the festival postponement just happened in the past couple of days. Bellas Artes upper level closed and no suitable alternate location found. Disappointed as one of my favorite winter events. Roadrunner is a terrific film. Anthony Bourdain’s essay on Mexico and Mexicans is wonderful.
I watched the film with great reluctance , still upset that he took his own life. Try to remember the good
“episodes” in his life.
I seem to remember that his only real friend, Eric Ripert had little to say. Broken.
San Miguel Food in Film Festival appreciates your support. We hope to have the new venue and festival dates posted soon.
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