A Movie Review: The End of the Tour

The End of the Tour. I've read two of David Foster Wallace's books: Infinite Jest (which I struggled through) and A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again. I also bought Oblivion, but haven't started to read it yet. I wouldn't say that David Foster Wallace is my favorite author, but I do have an interest in him. I still remember seeing a blurb on Infinite Jest in a magazine (I think it was Newsweek). Based on that blurb, I decided to go buy the book. As mentioned, I struggled through it, but the one thing I do recall is being amazed at how much knowledge Wallace had about various random facts. I couldn't help but think he'd kick butt in a Trivial Pursuit game.

Over-all though, I knew little about the author. I assumed based on his critical acclaim that he was an intellectual. When I heard about The End of the Tour, I decided I had to see this movie. A writer at the Rolling Stone David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) is assigned to interview David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) during the last leg of his book tour. What shocked me about this movie. David Foster Wallace was like the rest of us (or maybe worse). He was addicted to junk food. What kind of diet was that guy on? He loved to watch television. He was so concerned about his addiction to television that he refused to own a television. Yes, David Foster Wallace was like the rest of us, but with an amazing skill to write wonderful stories.

This movie is probably not for everyone. It is a movie that digs into the psyche of a beloved author. If one has never heard of David Foster Wallace, they probably wouldn't find this movie interesting. It might just come across as another movie about a "creative" who is filled with self-doubt. But for those who have read his books, it gives some wonderful insight into the man. But by wonderful, I also should say there is dread. There is dread, because the ending is already known. One just might walk out of the theater a touch depressed as well as a touch inspired.