Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain

Focus Features | Release Date: July 16, 2021

6.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

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Brent_MarchantJan 28, 2022

After watching this portrait of enigmatic chef/writer/storyteller Anthony Bourdain, I came away sincerely convinced that I had watched a biography about a troubled, multifaceted talent, but I didn't feel as though I knew the protagonist anyAfter watching this portrait of enigmatic chef/writer/storyteller Anthony Bourdain, I came away sincerely convinced that I had watched a biography about a troubled, multifaceted talent, but I didn't feel as though I knew the protagonist any better than I did going in. That's particularly true when it comes to understanding what led to his seemingly impulsive, inexplicable suicide in 2018, a question that basically remains unanswered. To a great degree, these shortcomings are probably attributable to director Morgan Neville's ambitious, though nevertheless insufficient, ability to get a grasp on the picture's expansive subject matter and mold it into a coherent finished form, an aim that's perhaps fundamentally impossible to attain given the diverse nature of Bourdain's life, character and work. Consequently, viewers are essentially left with a somewhat overlong, encyclopedic dissertation of the protagonist's accomplishments and life events, one that's depicted through footage of an array of colorful incidents drawn from a wealth of archive material, punctuated by insightful interviews with those who knew and worked with him. But, while that may make for some visually intriguing eye candy with modest smatterings of heartfelt moments, it fails to coalesce into the kind of cogently organized narrative characteristic of some of the filmmaker's other works, such as "20 Feet from Stardom" (2013) and "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" (2018). Bourdain was an innately complex individual, but, simply because of that, it may not be realistic to believe that the essence of someone with such a complicated persona can be sufficiently captured and depicted on screen. And any efforts that come up short of that, regrettably, just don't do the principal justice.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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LisaLR1Jul 22, 2021

"ROADRUNNER: A Film About Anthony Bourdain," directed by Oscar-winner Morgan Neville ("20 Feet from Stardom"), shines a light on the fast life and tragic death by suicide in 2018 of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. The documentary"ROADRUNNER: A Film About Anthony Bourdain," directed by Oscar-winner Morgan Neville ("20 Feet from Stardom"), shines a light on the fast life and tragic death by suicide in 2018 of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. The documentary accomplishes this using archival footage from Bourdain's hit television shows, "No Reservations," "Parts Unknown," "The Layover," "A Cook's Tour," along with interviews with him beginning in 1999 as he began writing his best selling book, "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly." The film also includes interviews with various Bourdain family, friends and work colleagues. The grief of his loss is still very raw, evidence of this shown through the interviews in the documentary, leaving the audience with many theories and unanswered questions as to why Anthony Bourdain chose to commit suicide. Much like Bourdain was in life, the film never stops moving, taking you along for the accelerated journey of a man who was inventive, tempestuous, extraordinary, and deeply flawed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DubeauNov 23, 2021

I loved that doc, and I hated it at the same time. I think it can be said the same thing about Anthony Bourdain. Love how the story unfolds and that you see/ear the guy talents. Hate the fact that he run from his problems and that the film isI loved that doc, and I hated it at the same time. I think it can be said the same thing about Anthony Bourdain. Love how the story unfolds and that you see/ear the guy talents. Hate the fact that he run from his problems and that the film is about suicide too. This isn't a joyful happy movie. I don't recommend you see that movie if you suffer from depression. But if you want to understand how peoples flee their problems and hide them into work, it is a great example of that. I think that Bourdain might have suffered from bipolar or manic depression, but he certainly wasn't relating normally to the world around him. I give the movie 75%. Maybe more because I liked how his friends have presented him, in a very honest way. Something he would have liked.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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JLuis_001Aug 24, 2023

I think the most important thing about this documentary is that taking into perspective the life that Anthony Bourdain led - one that many might say they envied or coveted - it becomes evident that even amid the appearance of success, theI think the most important thing about this documentary is that taking into perspective the life that Anthony Bourdain led - one that many might say they envied or coveted - it becomes evident that even amid the appearance of success, the inner emotional and mental struggles of an individual remain concealed. Consequently, any queries surrounding the rationale behind his decision to end his own life become inconsequential.

The tribute legitimately focuses on the achievements of one's own life and, in this sense, the documentary effectively achieves its purpose.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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