By Jan Wahl—
Remarkable Dolly
Since the passing of our wonderful Dolly Parton, I have seen a great many clips and interviews with this wonderful woman. Well-produced, entertaining documentaries have been playing, like Dolly Parton: Here I Am (2019), now available through PBS, and The Library That Dolly Built (2020), available on Apple TV. Even Ken Burns has praised her “unmatched” authenticity and generosity.
I have always loved Dolly, but I find that, the more I know about her, the deeper my admiration becomes; her early embrace of all of us who feel like outsiders was remarkable. She wrote a new song practically every day and used much of her money for literacy and childhood education—not bad for someone who went from rags to rhinestones, giving us an enduring cultural footprint.
My favorite of her films is one of the best movies of the 1980s, 9 to 5, a comedy about three working women who get revenge on their sexist boss. Dolly was 34 when she filmed this classic, and it is impossible not to fall in love with her funny and warm character. Even if you’ve seen it, see it again.
Anthony Bourdain Lived a Life Worth Studying
How many Anthony Bourdain fans are there out there? I have been reading and watching Bourdain since he blew our minds with his book Kitchen Confidential and the premiere of his first TV show in 2002, A Cook’s Tour. After that, he had hit shows like No Reservations, The Layover, and Parts Unknown. Following this adventurous renegade of food and travel has always been a joy; now, we get to find out about his early years in the new movie Tony. This 2026 coming-of-age drama (with some comedy)
explores a formative summer in the early life of Chef Bourdain. A 19-year-old Bourdain travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen. Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers) is perfectly cast as the insecure hustler, Tony. Anthony Bourdain lived a life worth studying, and after seeing Tony, I want to rewatch and reread everything about him.
Tony also features a standout performance by Antonio Banderas as “Chef” José Vatel, a restaurant owner who hires Bourdain. He is at the beating heart of the film. Since his role in Philadelphia, Banderas has been one of my favorite actors. He’s such an interesting character in the excellent Tony.
More Recommended Viewing: Spielberg
In 2017, a truly great documentary came out exploring the life and career of Steven Spielberg. Spielberg, available on Max and Amazon, takes us through his professional trajectory, tracing how his struggles with bullying and childhood experiences influenced recurring themes in his movies. We get the blockbusters—Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park—alongside serious projects such as Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan. Spielberg himself opens up about his struggles, and stars like Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, and Oprah Winfrey help us understand his art. It’s two and a half hours long, and it is worth every minute—like a great Spielberg movie!
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic on various broadcast outlets. She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community.
Off the Wahl
Published on September 10, 2026
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