Review: End of the Tour

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It's about loneliness. 

David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) writes for the Rolling Stone. He sees an article praising an author, David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) and begs his boss to let him cover a writer for once. He interviews David on the last stop of his book tour in Minnesota, and at his home in Illinois. 

This film is very quiet, very still, it flows easily from once scene to the next. It starts with the news of Wallace's suicide, a brilliant choice by the filmmakers to put it there, because everything Wallace says holds more weight now that you ultimately know where it ends. It's very tragic. The film is essentially like an extended interview between Wallace and Lipsky. It's mostly them conversing, and with the wrong actors, the film could've been a bore.

Luckily it didn't have that problem. Segel and Eisenberg are wonderful. Beyond wonderful, this is the best I've ever seen Segel. (Aside from him flapping his dick around in Forgetting Sarah Marshall because that was amazing) He plays Wallace so thoughtfully. He's also very believable when it comes to showing his addiction . Admittedly, I don't know much about the real David Foster Wallace, yet everything Segel did felt so true. Eisenberg is always reliable. He often gets typecast as the nerdy guy, but he has so much more to offer. This is another one of those films. Lipsky is a cordial guy, but he has a bit of a nasty side, which Eisenberg subtly shows here and there. 

I also can't help but smile at seeing the Mall of America and Minnesota in a movie. I can also relate to all that snow.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B+

Memorable Quote: "I don't even know if I like you yet." - David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel)

Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 24, 2015 at 6:21 PM

    Beautiful review! I am looking forward to this movie. And I should see Forgetting Sarah Marshall, because far be it from me to miss out on a dick-flapping scene.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2015 at 7:11 AM

      You haven't seen that one yet? Oh man, it's great. lol

      Delete
  2. Kevin PowersAugust 24, 2015 at 7:49 PM

    I loved this movie. It is just my kind of flick. I'm in awe of the work of both Segel and Eisenberg. They are what makes this work. And Ponsoldt is just the director for this material. I think I'm gonna try to read Infinite Jest now. Try is the keyword there. Great review! I'll have one up midweek, hopefully.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2015 at 7:11 AM

      I can't wait to read it! That book sounds like quite the beast to get through so "try" is appropriate.

      Delete
  3. Candice FrederickAugust 24, 2015 at 10:45 PM

    Hmm I wondered about this. I wasn't sure that Jesse is entirely engaging in roles outside of The Social Network. But you've convinced me!

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2015 at 7:10 AM

      He is! He's really good in Holy Motors too. That's another one outside of the usual that I think he's great in.

      Delete
  4. Big Screen Small WordsAugust 25, 2015 at 1:04 AM

    I'm not familiar with David Foster Wallace's work, but I would like to see how Segel and Eisenberg work the screen together. Great review!

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2015 at 7:08 AM

      Neither was I. I've been reading up on him a bit afterwards though.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousAugust 25, 2015 at 8:44 AM

    I keep hearing wonderful thing after wonderful thing about this one. Can't wait to see it for myself!

    ReplyDelete
  6. RuthAugust 25, 2015 at 4:31 PM

    I saw this last week at Mall of America, which was especially amusing when I learned later that when they saw Broken Arrow in the film, it was in the very same theater we were in. I didn't think I'd like this film as much as I did, but like you said, it flowed quite nicely from scene to scene despite not much action happening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 26, 2015 at 6:39 AM

      That's awesome! I love the MoA theater, I like that one of them serves booze while you watch. lol

      Delete
  7. LukeAugust 25, 2015 at 8:04 PM

    Nice review! David Foster Wallace is one of the 5 people who I can so inspire me the most. So it was great to see a movie built around him. I thought Segel did a great job.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 26, 2015 at 6:38 AM

      That's awesome you're a fan. I felt a little bad for not knowing him before seeing this.

      Delete
  8. JoshOctober 5, 2015 at 2:32 AM

    This film just gets better the more I think about it. And Segel and Eisenberg disappeared into their roles, which isn't something I've ever said of either actor. Loved this one.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamNovember 30, 2015 at 4:01 PM

      Revisiting this review and comments make me have to agree. I'd love to see it again.

      Delete
  9. Matthew St.ClairNovember 29, 2015 at 5:53 PM

    I just saw this today and I thought it was a gem. While I thought Jesse Eisenberg was solid and steady, Jason Segel was an absolute revelation! He really disappears into the role and I'm thrilled he got that Spirit nod for Best Actor. Hopefully he, and the film's screenplay, can go farther in the Oscar race.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamNovember 30, 2015 at 4:01 PM

      I hope so too, I'd love for Segel to be in on the Oscar race, he deserves it so much, as does the film as a whole.

      Delete

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