The
End Of The Tour (2015/Lionsgate Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B+ Extras: B Film: B
Jason
Segel and Jesse Eisenberg star in the excellent indie film The End
Of The Tour (2015), which is based on the true story and book
about an interview with the novelist David Foster Wallace and his
five day interview with Rolling Stones writer David Lipsky. In many
ways, it's the reverse of Frost/Nixon; instead of a violent
back and forth interview we see the development of a friendship and
the comparing and contrasting of opinions on heavy ideas and
concepts. The film is superbly acted and made and goes by in a
flash, easily being of the best films I've seen this year of its
kind.
The
film tells the story of the five-day interview between Rolling Stone
reporter (and novelist) David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) and acclaimed
novelist David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel), which took place right
after the 1996 publication of Wallace's groundbreaking epic novel,
Infinite Jest. As the days go on, a tenuous yet
intense relationship seems to develop between journalist and subject.
The two men bob and weave around each other, sharing laughs and also
possibly revealing hidden frailties - but it's never clear how
truthful they are being with each other.
Ironically,
the interview was never published, and five days of audio tapes were
packed away in Lipsky's closet. The two men did not meet again. The
film is based on Lipsky's critically acclaimed memoir about this
unforgettable encounter, written following Wallace's 2008 suicide and
which is also the start of the film.
The
film also stars Becky Ann Baker, Mickey Sumner, Mamie Gummer, Ron
Livingston and Joan Cusack and was directed by James Ponsoldt.
Presented
in1080p high definition with a widescreen 2.40:1 aspect ratio and a
solid, lossless English DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 track, the low
budget film looks and sounds perfect on Blu-ray disc. Digital Copy
also included.
Special
Features include:
Deleted
Scenes
Audio Commentary with Director James Ponsoldt, Writer
Donald Margulies & Actor Jason Segel
A Conversation with
Composer Danny Elfman
Behind the Tour
I
haven't read Infinite Jest or any of Foster's work but thoroughly
enjoyed this film. I definitely suggest giving it a spin.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
