THE END OF THE TOUR
US, 2015, 106 minutes, Colour.
Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Segel, Anna Chlumsky, Joan Cusack, Mickey Sumner, Mamie Gummer, Ron Stevenson.
Directed by James Pondsolt.
The End of the Tour is something of a specialist film, a film for lovers of literary fiction, especially American fiction. it is basically a two-hander, several days of conversation between the novelist, David Foster Wallace, and a Rolling Stones reporter, David Lipsky, who accompanied him on part of his tour to promote his book, Infinite Jest, published in 1996. It is based on the reporter’s memoir, Although of Course You End up Becoming Yourself.
It does not matter if the audience has not heard of David Foster Wallace. They will have quite an impression of him by the end of the film. It does begin somewhat grimly, with the news in 2008 that he had killed himself. The reporter, David Lipski, is shocked to discover the news and prepares a eulogy of the novelist which he delivers in New York City.
Then the film goes into flashback.
Jesse Eisenberg, who is almost always the same in every film (well, always the same) whether he be Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network or David Lipski – always a little hunch-shouldered and forward-stooping, nervous manner in speaking, always on the edge even when he is relaxed. But this suits him here, a reporter tired of writing about Boy Bands, and proposing to its editor that there is a story in the success of David Foster Wallace and his thousand page novel.
For those familiar with Jason Segel’s career, almost always in comedies, including Knocked up and similar comedies, Gulliver’s Travels and The Muppets, his performance here as Wallace will be a complete surprise – except that he does remind us that earlier in his career, it would be Jeff Daniels as Wallace. some commentators have said that he captures Wallace’s manner very well, a tall and rather lumbering man, always wearing a bandanna, chunks of hair emerging from each side of it, in old clothes (Joan Cusack’s chauffeur in Minneapolis exclaiming rhetorically as he goes to radio interview, “you’re not wearing that”). And, he doesn’t mind McDonald’s? and other takeaway food…
David Lipski goes to Bloomington to do the interview, recorded but Wallace has a few reservations, especially about the privacy of his parents. What follows is a great deal of conversation, relishing of words and delivery, interactions between the two men, Wallace speaking at a book signing, on radio, with a friend from university days (Mickey Sumner) and enthusiastic fan (Mamie Gummer).
There is a great deal of self-revelation from the two men, the reporter nosing out details for his story, but, somewhat envious of the writer, who does not take himself too seriously with his fame, who has a certain charm, despite living alone with his large dogs, friendly with students in his creative writing course, able to reflect on the themes of his work, especially the theme of loneliness and a future prospect for marriage and having children.
Direction is by James Ponsoldt whose work includes specialist films, Smashed and The Spectacular Now.
Words, words, words, – those who enjoy conversation will not be sick of words but will relish the conversations.
1. David Foster Wallace, his life and career, publication, his death? The film of literary interest? American fiction? Rolling Stone, reporting? The film based on David Lipsky’s memoir, the words of David Foster Wallace?
2. The perspectives of David Lipsky, his book, interest, interview, writing the book, news of Foster’s death, his eulogy?
3. A New York story, Rolling Stone and its office, editor? Apartments? The New York eulogy? The musical score?
4. Bloomington, the snow, the landscapes, winter, Wallace’s house, the interiors, the different rooms and contents? Reports, Minneapolis, the book signing, the radio station, the Mall of America, the movie theatre, homes?
5. Jesse Eisenberg as David Lipski? His age, career, his novel and articles, working with Rolling Stone? With Sarah, reading Wallace’s book, going to the editor, the plea, having to find a story? Going to Bloomington, the winter, lost, phoning Wallace, the meeting, permission to record, going to his creative writing class and watching him with the students, the discussions, his listening, taking notes, the discussion about the Alanis Morisette poster, Wallace and his restrictions and his agreeing? His relationship with Wallace, the conversation, the dogs in the room, the meals? The phone call to Sarah, 25 minutes? With the chauffeur in Minneapolis? The book signing, the radio interview, the couple, the past fellow-student, the band, discussions, going to the movies, at the apartment, going back, the arguments, the discussions, his noting every room in the house, the morning, the news about Wallace dancing, the return home?
6. The portrait of David Foster Wallace, his novel, 1000 pages, its success? A private man, his appearance, hair, the bandanna, tall? Awkward? By himself, his house, the dogs? Permissions and reserving permissions? The house, creative writing class, advice to the students, the meals, his not drinking, his past alcoholism, past drugs, the reasons for his addictions? Going to Minnesota, the chauffeur, the signing, speaking, no Q and A, the radio interview? Becky and the memories of the past, college studies? Julie as fan? What to see the Mall of America? Going to see John Woo’s Broken Arrow, the sequence, his response? Watching Algiers on television? His being upset at David, thinking he was hitting on Becky? The stern aspects of the discussion, David possibly being envious, wanting to be Wallace? The reconciliation in the snow? The talk about his dancing – and the visuals of dancing? The news of his death? His words on the tape recorder? The final words during the credits?
7. Sarah, David Lipsky and his talk of relationships, at a distance? Becky, the past, Julie as a fan? The chauffeur in Minneapolis, driving, impressed by the radio interview, planning to buy the book?
8. The quality of the conversations? Wallace’s personality, the urge to write, his study, issues of his identity, privacy of his parents, the television addiction, his education, loneliness, thoughts on marrying, having children? Thoughts and remarks about sexuality? Addictions? Being accused of being superior? The possibilities for Lipsky’s being envious? Wanting to be Wallace? The nature of fame? The exploration of these themes?
