dansview I don't think you can enjoy this picture unless you enjoy intellectual banter, because that's mostly what it is. You don't have to agree with the world view of these characters, but you must at least enjoy being part of a deep conversation. I'm not familiar with the real life version of either guy, so I couldn't tell if these actors were interpreting them well. But that didn't matter. They played the characters of tortured new celebrity and younger upstart with genuine grace. If you've ever spent a whole night or a weekend inside another person's head, while they are inside yours, you know it can be exhausting and irritating. At times these characters became exactly that to each other and to the viewer. It's based on truth, and I don't doubt that that's what happened. It's inevitable. Given what it was, the film utilizes some decent photography of a snowy Midwest, and good use of amicable side characters who seem to be grateful yet baffled visitors to "Planet Writer." But what's ultimately saddening about it all, is that our main character is basically a useless, self-hating loser, and he knows it. His writing is self-indulgent and dark, and from what I've heard, doesn't alleviate anyone's doubts about the world. Surely not his own. Sure there is value in writing to entertain others or even to stir their thoughts, but if your writing causes them to lose hope, it may not be worth it. It wasn't for him.

Clifton Johnson I was hesitant about this movie. Because I love DFW's writing. Because his estate regarded the book and film as exploitation. Because Jason Siegel (?). But I found myself drawn in quickly. A.O. Scott commented that this film was less biopic than reflection/meditation on celebrity. Gotta say that I agree. The audience very quickly finds itself grappling with who we want to be and why. I think Wallace would like that. It is a talk-y film, but all the talking works. If I'm gonna drive around the Midwest, these two writers are good company.

SnoopyStyle David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) has died in an apparent suicide. David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) retrieves tapes of his interview with the writer. Twelve years earlier in 1996, Lipsky has written a book of limited success. His girlfriend Sarah (Anna Chlumsky) tells him about Wallace and his ground breaking book "Infinite Jest". He convinces his Rolling Stones editor (Ron Livingston) to assign him to join Wallace on his book tour. The juiciest question is Wallace's rumored heroine use. Lipsky becomes friends with Wallace and is unwilling to bring up the subject. In Minnesota, they are joined by Wallace fan Julie (Mamie Gummer) and Wallace's ex Betsy (Mickey Sumner). Wallace accuses Lipsky of flirting with Betsy and they dive into the tougher issues.The first half of the movie isn't that compelling to me. The two characters are intriguing but there is no drama in their friendly dialog. Lipsky isn't pushing the conversation hard enough but that's also the point of the editor's call. Mostly I'm wondering where this movie is going with this and waiting for a turn. The phone call to Sarah starts the turn and Wallace's accusation completes it. The second half is very intriguing. It's an interesting study of these characters.

eddie_baggins For an actor whose best known in a feature film sense for showcasing his unmentionables to Kristen Bell in the 2008 hit comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Jason Segel's performance in James Ponsoldt's The End of the Tour easily marks itself down as one of 2015's most pleasantly surprising and sadly forgotten about performances and helps make this tale of Segel's author David Foster Wallace and Jesse Eisenberg's Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky's whirlwind trip together a quietly powerful character study.Following on from his fine work with his leads in the great 2013 romantic drama The Spectacular Now, Ponsoldt and his performers help make End of the Tour an attention commanding experience through virtually nothing more than conversations, carefully crafted scripting and a care for its subjects. Those going into End of the Tour expecting an event filled cross country trip will be left sorely disappointed by Ponsoldt's unconventional take on the life affirming/mismatched buddy film but for those that get swept away by its low key approach, the work by Segel and Eisenberg will be a joy to behold.The somewhat reclusive David Foster Wallace is the type of real life character that requires a layered and measured approach by an actor to inhabit and that's what we get from Segel. It's an awards worthy turn that in a higher profile event would've likely garnered him some well-deserved attention and it's hopefully a kicking off point for the next stage of his career in more intimately affecting portrayals. Helping Segel's complicated turn along on its way is Eisenberg who more recently has become a little bit of a self-imitating concern (hello Batman V Superman) but it's great to see him tone it down to play quietly mannered Lipsky and between the two actors we get a respectful double act that deals effectively with loneliness, depression and what it means to be a writer.The End of the Tour isn't a film for those looking for a point A to point B look at Foster Wallace's life or a film for those looking for more than heavy conversation led scenes but Ponsoldt's film is a showcase for powerful storytelling without dramatization and a shining of the light into another side of Jason Segel, which thankfully doesn't include more Forgetting Sarah Marshall type flesh baring. End of the Tour is absolutely one of 2015's underseen gems.4 late night service station snack runs out of 5