The End of the Tour

— This is an interesting film although a little tedious. Jason Segel is excellent as acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace being interviewed by less-acclaimed novelist and Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) during the last stop of Wallace’s book tour. I expected the focus to be of Wallace, which it was, but less a look at him than at the shifting views we all have toward things like fame, loneliness, jealousy, acceptance, love, and insecurity. I was particularly fond of what was referred to more than once as “the American story” we all live as we work toward goals, achieve them, and question their value. This is a slow-moving, well-written, dialogue-driven film that spends most of its time in the realm of ideas, philosophies, and fears. This kind of introspective work needs to be well done to succeed and I think this fits the bill. I liked it.

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[2015. 106 min. Directed by James Ponsoldt. Starring Jason Segel, Jesse Eisenberg, Mamie Gummer, Anna Chlumsky, and Joan Cusak.]
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-end-of-the-tour-20150729