Tony by Jay McCarrol

This 2026 film directed by Matt Johnson follows one summer in the life of a young Anthony Bourdain. It was a film that took me by surprise by how engaging I found it. Not following the usual biopic template and instead focusing on the summer where Tony truly became the famous Anthony worked brilliantly. Coupled with brilliant performances by Dominic Sessa and Leo Woodall and a soulful performance from Antonio Banderas, it’s a really enjoyable film.

Jay McCarrol’s score is relatively short and is used sparing in the film, but when it is used, it really works.

The Meaning of Providence is a fun opening track with a quicky piano motif that really captures the complexity of Tony’s character at this point. There are some whining strings behind it and a slight darker turn in the motif toward the end f the track to hint at the darkness that lurks in Tony. It’s a good piece of scene setting music both in terms of the type of film this is but also strong musical characterisation.

A Day In The Life Of A Writer continues to use the motif but finds a more playful tone, even with that darker strings lurking way beneath. There’s some lovely guitar work and even a harmonica as the piece begins to flesh out Tony’s character and he tried to delude himself that he’s still a writer. Striper Run works brilliantly in the film and scores a fishing adventure and features some wonderfully jaunty piano and even a fun hand clap to accompany it. it’s sweeping and dramatic with a low drum while remaining both playful and exciting and true to Tony’s developing character. By far my favourite piece of music in the film.

Black Doesn’t Mean Burnt is a lovely guitar ballad that scores a sweet moment Tony shares with his mentor. It’s simple and unassuming but wonderful effective. The final track Provincetown plays like an old sea shanty piece of music as the tale of Tony comes to an end. It’s an inventive and quirky way to end the score album and the film itself.

Tony isn’t a particularly long album and the pieces are all relatively short, but there’s still much enjoyment to be found in the listening experience and to reflect on how well it works within the film itself. I’ve not been familiar with Jay McCarrol’s work before, but he’s someone I’ll be listening out for in the future.

Favourite Tracks: Striper Run, Black Doesn’t Mean Burnt