THE END OF THE TOUR
Directed by James Ponsoldt
Screenplay by Donald Margulies
Based on the book by David Lipsky
Starring Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg
The true story of a five day road trip following David Wallace (Segel) and Rolling Stone writer David Lipsky (Eisenberg) as Wallace finishes up his book tour for his 1000+ page novel Infinite Jest.
I love a good road trip movie. This one is really good. In fact it may be the one of best films of the year.
It does not touch on the life of Wallace but it touches on the relationship and conversation between the two writers.
Segel as Wallace, gives an Oscar worthy performance, is so relaxed and at the same time nervous. He has awful social skills and is more relaxed and relates with his dogs than with most people. He says so much with his ticks and stares and when he talks he sucks you into every word. Often you wonder who is interviewing who on the road trip because he asks as many questions as Lipsky.
Eisenberg is also wonderful, stepping back just enough to let Segel command the screen.
The film captures a moment in time, watching Wallace, who is aware of all going on around him ( a great speech about TV screens is almost seeing into the future). He is kind but not a pushover. He does not lecture he just suggests and he is almost embarrassed by the attention and at the same time a little proud. Still, after all the success ogf this book, which he seems to not understand, he still fights with depression, he talks about his depression history in one heart breaking scene. It is so honest and raw.
At the end we realize for Lipsky it was more than an interview on a road trip. As Wallace says at one point "This is nice". It may have started out as just an interview but looking back I think he sees, it was two friends enjoying, laughing, arguing during a moment of time that was captured on tape.
The film is so different, so interesting, so relaxed, and so sad. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars for The End Of The Tour. Find it and see it!! Stay during the credits.
From The Shadows as always thanks for your time.
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