Review: The End of the Tour

I am only slightly embarrassed to admit that I was expecting a comedy when I first walked into the theater, bucket of M&Ms and popcorn in one hand and a giant soda in the other. I like to avoid any pre-conceived notions regarding movies I plan to review, to ensure perfect candor, so I'd only read a three-line synopsis that basically told me it was about the road trip Rolling Stone journalist David Lipsky (played by Jesse Eisenberg) took with professor/author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) at the end of his Infinite Jest book tour. Given Joan Cusack's appearance in the cast list, "comedy" was a natural assumption.

It wasn't long into the film that I realized it was pretty much a drama about two guys sitting around talking to each other. Sometimes they walked around and talked to each other. Briefly, they talked to other people or Wallace's two adorably overweight Labradors. By most measures, the movie should've been incredibly boring.

It was not.

Before we'd even gone in, my friend and I had vowed to sit on the end of the row and quietly depart if the film turned out to be below our expectations. Instead of sneaking out, we forgot to eat our popcorn, even with the unhealthy dose of chocolate we'd dumped inside. My soda remained nearly full. Not only was this little film about two guys talking to each other vastly interesting, it was entertaining and moving. I forgot to eat.

As expected where Segel and Eisenberg are present, there were moments of humor and awkwardness. Eisenberg's delivery was his typical tic-laden quirky nerd. No real surprises there. Segel, on the other hand, disappeared and was replaced by someone who easily could've been mistaken for the 90's era Wallace. (Okay, his hair wasn't quite as awesome, but we can overlook that.) Segel's performance was not only believable, but nearly invisible, and that is the perfection every real actor should strive to achieve. Thanks to that perfection, it was easy to understand how people could form the type of bond toward Wallace that his "DFW" fanatical followers seem to possess. (Many have vowed to skip the movie because they believe DFW would never have sanctioned such a narcissistic endeavor. Wait, didn't he agree to the original interview, book tours, speaking engagements...? Never mind. I don't want to stir up trouble.)

In the end, this film WILL tug at your heart strings, if they are there to be tugged. It will appeal to those who want to get insight into Wallace through Lipsky's eyes without taking the time to read the book (Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself). It will appeal to indie film lovers, bio and book lovers, and anyone who simply enjoys a good drama. It won't make tons of money, but the best films rarely do. If you're not one of those previously listed folks, go see it for the outstanding cameo performances by the inimitable Joan Cusack and Mamie Gummer, looking more like mama Meryl Streep than ever before.

If you're over 18 and have half a brain, seek this film out. Order a small popcorn and soda, sit down and watch it with a pal, then feel smarter and a little more human when you walk out. For you DFW fans who refuse to see this film because you don't believe it can possibly do him justice or may conflict with his wishes, get over it. Unless you knew him personally, you really have no more right to claim knowledge of what he would've wanted than the filmmakers, who, by the way, honor his memory very well while helping us understand why he both savored and avoided the spotlight. (He might have even been ashamed of your arrogance and uninformed pre-judgment, being such a fan of moving pictures and overall open-mindedness himself.)

During his life, Wallace may have avoided the camera because he struggled with the trappings of fame and the dangers of inadvertently branding himself, but this film absolutely does everything possible to paint him as human as he'd want to be, and as brilliant and wonderful as he was. It treats his foibles and wishes with every bit of the deference he would've wanted and deserved. It also serves to introduce a whole new generation to him, drawing them toward his amazing work. If anything, DFW fans should be happy he is finally getting the type of widespread respectful treatment he never allowed himself to receive. So what if it's only a snippet of his life? It's a work of art and rare insight into a brilliant but (mostly) reclusive artist.

The End of the Tour opens in Houston on August 13, limited release.