Roadrunner

Directed by Morgan Neville, Roadrunner details the life and times of celebrity chef and writer Anthony Bourdain – with the movie documenting his early days as a chef through to his work as a respected television personality. Filmmaker Neville does a superb job of delivering a completely accessible and often fascinating endeavor that effectively explores the mindset and personality of its larger-than-life subject, as the movie, which runs an admittedly overlong 110 minutes, boasts compelling behind-the-scenes footage that provides an eye-opening glimpse into Bourdain’s well-documented existence – with the intimate atmosphere certainly heightened and perpetuated by an ongoing emphasis on interviews with those who knew Bourdain best (including his ex-wives and legion of famous friends). There’s little doubt, as well, that Roadrunner benefits substantially from its all-encompassing approach to Bourdain’s life (and death), as Neville, particularly in the movie’s second half, looks at the various controversies in which Bourdain eventually found himself embroiled – with this undoubtedly true of his ill-fated relationship with actress and #MeToo activist Asia Argento. And although one can’t help but wish the picture delved a little deeper into certain aspects of Bourdain’s life, Roadrunner is, for the most part, an eye-opening documentary that’s often just as captivating and enthralling as its almost iconic subject.

***1/2 out of ****