The End of the Tour is a talk-heavy tale of two men [Review]
At 106 minutes long, The End of the Tour is a dialogue-driven film that will bore action lovers, but the relationship between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky and celebrity novelist David Foster Wallace over a five-day trip makes this film fascinating.
Jesse Eisenberg plays Lipsky, an aspiring novelist who thinks he can be just as successful as Wallace (an amazing Jason Segel), who he's interviewing for an article. He joins Wallace on his 1996 book tour promoting his latest novel, Infinite Jest.
While they don't become friends, their similar egos and insecurities mean they form a bond. Not a lot happens in the film. The pair's discussions are far from groundbreaking. The film could have provided more insight into how Wallace became an influential writer, or why Lipsky was hooked by Infinite Jest.
What saves the film is the chemistry between Eisenberg and Segel, which develops as naturally and beautifully as a symphony. Despite their clashing dialogue, minute details and body gestures hint at their intimacy. This affection is finally made clear after Wallace's death 12 years later, when Lipsky tearfully recalls their arguments as the best conversations he's ever had.
A film worth watching for the unique human dynamic it explores.