The End of the Tour (2015)

THE END OF THE TOUR is one of my favorite films of 2015. Its really close to the top of the list.

I have no idea if it's one of the "best" films, that classification is not important, what is important is that its a favorite- a fovorite on the order of a good friend, or in cinematic terms one of those movies you stop to watch every time it's on. This is one of those films that creeps into your soul and lives there, throwing up witty lines at oppurtune moments.

Based on ALTHOUGH OF COURSE YOU END UP BECOMING YOURSELF by David Lipsky THE END OF THE TOUR concerns the five days lLipsky spent with author David Foster Wallace as Wallace finished up his book tour for AN INFINITE JEST. Its basically two guys talking for two hours and the people they meet.

The film is witty and real and absolutely wondrous.

Forget the fictions of something like MY DINNER WITH ANDRE, this is the real deal. This is two highly intelligent people talking about life- not the life of high faluting ideas rather it's dogs and TV and Pop Tarts, relationships, and sex and insecurities. Its the insecurities  that bring the tension  as both men, both writers struggle to hide their own. Wallace, the genius fears he will be found out and declared a fraud while Lipsky fears he's not up to interviewing such a great man. Its very human and most amazingly exactly the sort of thing that we all experience daily, though  these guys have slightly more wit.

The two central performances are amazing. For once Jesse Eisenberg (Lipsky) is not a weird collection od ticks and mannerisms. Outside of his constant smoking he seems like a regular guy. Jason Segel should get an Oscar nomination of not the statue itself for his performance as Wallace. Its so perfect a performance that Wallace seems to inhabit him. Ive never seen film footage of Wallace but I have read interviewsand I suspect that if I did see film I'd want to know who the imposter was. Its a career defining performance that demands to be seen.

I don't know what else to say other than you need to see this film. It will make you feel good.