Director: James Ponsoldt
By Alex Watson
A pair of tour de force performances bring director James Ponsoldt's End of the Tour to life.The story focuses on the famous road trip between famous writer David Foster Wallace and Rolling Stone Journalist David Lipsky. From this pairing there is a wonderful mixture of natural humor combined with some intense soul-searching. Both men are polar opposites, yet somehow both want what the other has in life.
After his début novel, Infinite Jest makes waves among critics and the best seller list, writer David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) becomes an overnight sensation. Fascinated this man and immensely jealous of his talent, journalist Dave Lipsky (Jessie Eisenberg) requests to write a piece on the man. Joining America's new growing talent is both an interview and a bonding experience and Lipsky will soon find that the man he admires in perhaps a very different man underneath!
James Ponsoldt has made a career through accurately portraying people and their internal conflicts. His breakthrough film 'The Spectacular Now' was a heart rendering vision of crumbling youth. In The End of The Tour, he seizes upon the heart and soul of Wallace. Principally the movie is all about the two men simply sitting and talking whether it be front of the TV, on a plane or in The Mall of America. From these conversations we get glimpse into the souls of both men, Lipsky both envies and admires his rival and yearns for life he has. Underneath the gentle and laid back image of Wallace is a man at war with himself and secretly is perhaps drowning with his new fame.
Although the pair of men are on level terms as men, Lipsky is under pressure to dig deep to get the revealing interview he needs. The moments where he tries to get what he needs, Ponsoldt doesn't give to the audience easily and he will take us on a winding road until we hit the needed point. Wallace with his answer is always coy, he was a drinker but wasn't an alcoholic and at the height of his depression his time on suicide watch was because was "really sad." Wallace is shown to be a celebrity who was just well before his time and is unable to comfortably speak with Lipsky without calculating what his next move will be? Or how will his words be taken when this all goes to print?
There is a touching and genuine feel to The End of The Tour and this is what makes the film truly soar. Both men will never be able to match each other on talent, a fact that continually frustrates Lipsky. Watching the pair together is like watching distant high school chums nervously making small talk at the 10 year reunion. Ponsoldt makes the most banal of conversations seems witty and throughly engaging, Wallace's speech about why he has an Alanis Morrisette poster on his wall will make you smile for long after. Dave Wallace's family hasn't endorsed this piece, but this movie is not just about his celebrity or the tragedy that would meet his fans years after. Ponsoldt is simply telling a story of two men and that simplicity is one that works tremendously.
Jason Segel puts in an early contender for the awards seasons with a marvelous turn as the noted writer David Foster Wallace. A gentle yet forceful presence, Segal effortlessly holds the screen throughout and gives a superb presentation of the inner doubts and fears of this man. Your uncle Marshall finally made it kids! Jesse Eisenberg also matches him with a turn of scarcely repressed jealousy. He both hates and loves Wallace as he does himself and Eisenberg does a great job of holding the lid down on his longing for a better world. Together these two make a wonderful easy-going duo who are able to verbally joust when the movie needs it best.
Whether The End of the Tour will see any serious attention come Oscar time is up for debate. However, it is still one of the most likable and emotionally grabbing films you will see this year. Anyone who doubted Jason Segal is in for a big surprise.
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