It seems Anthony Bourdain owes a debt of gratitude to a woman named Nancy; without her influence (and perhaps some hormones), he might never have journeyed to Providence in 1975 and learned how to shuck an oyster. Following a rejection for a writing fellowship, the protagonist, Dominic Sassa, decides to pursue this girl he briefly knew from school, leading him to a town that brought back memories of "Amity" from "Jaws," also set around the same period. Chance encounters are frequent for him, so he runs into her – among many summer visitors – only to discover she’s already working in a pizza place and has a boyfriend. Tony attempts to ease his disappointment, and given that he's not particularly strong when it comes to alcohol, six beers seem to do the trick before he gets thrown out onto the street and subsequently robbed. Fortunately, the owner of the "Flagship" (Antonio Banderas) feels sorry for this unfortunate fellow and offers him a job as a dishwasher in his kitchen. The staff is a diverse bunch, with “Sal” (Leo Woodall) leading a somewhat scattered group who prepare the same four dishes each day. He hasn't abandoned hope regarding "Nancy" (Emilia Jones), so we observe as nearly everyone comes to realize he’s quite a compulsive liar but also possesses decent qualities beneath his ever-changing exterior. As biopics go, Matt Johnson and Sessa have created something genuinely believable and captivating. They aren't hesitant to portray Bourdain as somewhat of an egotistical person who struggles just as much with self-awareness as he does with impressing those around him. His characterization is barely on the edge – at times – and his relationship with "Sal" - a detrimental influence convincingly portrayed by Woodall - provides a contrast to the more stabilizing presence offered by Banderas, whose chef clearly has a story of his own. There's amusement to be found here, too, with some mockery of inflated academic ambitions and the introspection that can affect a man; and there are numerous scenes involving water being splashed on his collection of brightly-colored Y-fronts! It also serves as a reminder of the diminishing value placed on community, and if you’ve ever wondered how to organize a charity clam bake, then this is the film for you. Thanks to Banderas' performance, it has touching moments, is generally quite entertaining, and is definitely worth seeing.

Source on TMDB