Review of The End of the Tour (2015) by Nico B — 30 Aug 2015

THE END OF THE TOUR-2015(R)-Aug. 28.

By:The Movie Guy.

The End of the Tour is the compelling & fascinating true story of a conversation between two writers over the span of five days in 1996. Jesse Eisenberg plays David Lipsky, a writer for Rolling Stones Magazine, who has had some minor success as a author. Lipsky is in awe of the high praise that author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) garnered for his critically acclaimed novel, Infinite Jest. Lipsky asks his editor (Ron Livingston) if he can do a story on Wallace for Rolling Stone Magazine. When Lipsky meets Wallace at his home, Lipsky finds Wallace to be cordial but unenthusiastic about the interview he agreed to do. He allows their conversation to be taped but insists that any quotes to be considered off the record. The conversation between Lipsky & Wallace starts out amiably with discussion of animals, TV Shows, fame, & self-discovery but the interview becomes uncomfortable when Lipsky broaches the topic of Wallace's stay in a mental institution for attempted suicide. The next day, Lipsky joins Wallace for a couple days in Minnesota for the final stop of the book tour. Lipsky meets two of Wallace's friends; Betsy (Mickey Summer), a former college mate & Julie (Mamie Gummer), a literary critic. The tension between Lipsky & Wallace increases when Wallace thinks that Lipsky is flirting with Betsy. Things get even worse when Lipsky asks Wallace about the rumors that he used heroin in the past. Wallace questions whether Lipsky is someone he can call a friend or just some journalist looking to write a stereotypical celebrity story. Based on David Lipsky's memoir: Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself, director James Ponsoldt & screenwriter Donald Margulies give the viewer insight into the old-school journalistic interview process, the dynamics between journalist & subject & a bittersweet sense of a gifted writer struggling his personal demons & the creative process. The performances from Jesse Eisenberg & Jason Segel were terrific, especially from Jason Segal who evoked a real empathy in this viewer for Wallace. Sadly David Foster Wallace later committed suicide in 2008. SEE THIS FILM.