Such a frustrating disappointment

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

I don't think you can enjoy this picture unless you enjoy intellectual banter, because that's mostly what it is. You don't have to agree with the world view of these characters, but you must at least enjoy being part of a deep conversation. I'm not familiar with the real life version of either guy, so I couldn't tell if these actors were interpreting them well. But that didn't matter. They played the characters of tortured new celebrity and younger upstart with genuine grace. If you've ever spent a whole night or a weekend inside another person's head, while they are inside yours, you know it can be exhausting and irritating. At times these characters became exactly that to each other and to the viewer. It's based on truth, and I don't doubt that that's what happened. It's inevitable. Given what it was, the film utilizes some decent photography of a snowy Midwest, and good use of amicable side characters who seem to be grateful yet baffled visitors to "Planet Writer." But what's ultimately saddening about it all, is that our main character is basically a useless, self-hating loser, and he knows it. His writing is self-indulgent and dark, and from what I've heard, doesn't alleviate anyone's doubts about the world. Surely not his own. Sure there is value in writing to entertain others or even to stir their thoughts, but if your writing causes them to lose hope, it may not be worth it. It wasn't for him.

Yet another movie about a really, really smart subject that could only appeal to really, really dumb people. Jason Segal as David Foster Wallace in what might be the worst casting of our lifetimes.

What can I add than to warn: if you think the art form of film should primarily be about the visual - acting can be appreciated in the theatre - where this rightly belongs - then, this effort simply fails: it's tedious to watch: nothing of import or dramatic really ever happens: merely two talking heads (á la 'My Dinner with Andre' style) - yet intriguing (occasionally) to listen to, if only for Segel delivering the lines that supposedly the real DFW author shared with Rolling Stone's Lipsky. But that's the problem: it reminded me of the sort of compilation of leftovers and demos etc that rock bands put together to scrape the barrel after their demise from glory: occasional gems (one on, ah, 'self pleasuring' in particular! - see the quotes sidebar :-), but otherwise, mostly underwhelming dross. Then, true if Segel is the stand out in delivering those lines, but as his interlocutor interviewer, JE once again delivers unfortunately one of his characteristic tic ridden, nervy, too fast paced throwaway whiny lines, which with the regular effete laughter he interjects into almost every response to Segel's DFW life observations, just left me irritated, unable to concentrate on any of those supposed pearls of wisdom JS/DFW confided.But perhaps the major complaint / letdown by director and scriptwriter was that, as DFW tragically committed suicide, and these transcripts were published posthumously, we get no insight or revelation or indeed any sort of real reference for why such a waste of talent occurred - other than hinted at (mere?) loneliness … which seemed either lazy or contemptuous of Ponsoldt and Marguilies, respectively! In short, of far less importance than it (they? Ponsoldt, Margulies - Lipsky?!!) would have you think it is.

For an actor whose best known in a feature film sense for showcasing his unmentionables to Kristen Bell in the 2008 hit comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Jason Segel's performance in James Ponsoldt's The End of the Tour easily marks itself down as one of 2015's most pleasantly surprising and sadly forgotten about performances and helps make this tale of Segel's author David Foster Wallace and Jesse Eisenberg's Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky's whirlwind trip together a quietly powerful character study.Following on from his fine work with his leads in the great 2013 romantic drama The Spectacular Now, Ponsoldt and his performers help make End of the Tour an attention commanding experience through virtually nothing more than conversations, carefully crafted scripting and a care for its subjects. Those going into End of the Tour expecting an event filled cross country trip will be left sorely disappointed by Ponsoldt's unconventional take on the life affirming/mismatched buddy film but for those that get swept away by its low key approach, the work by Segel and Eisenberg will be a joy to behold.The somewhat reclusive David Foster Wallace is the type of real life character that requires a layered and measured approach by an actor to inhabit and that's what we get from Segel. It's an awards worthy turn that in a higher profile event would've likely garnered him some well-deserved attention and it's hopefully a kicking off point for the next stage of his career in more intimately affecting portrayals. Helping Segel's complicated turn along on its way is Eisenberg who more recently has become a little bit of a self-imitating concern (hello Batman V Superman) but it's great to see him tone it down to play quietly mannered Lipsky and between the two actors we get a respectful double act that deals effectively with loneliness, depression and what it means to be a writer.The End of the Tour isn't a film for those looking for a point A to point B look at Foster Wallace's life or a film for those looking for more than heavy conversation led scenes but Ponsoldt's film is a showcase for powerful storytelling without dramatization and a shining of the light into another side of Jason Segel, which thankfully doesn't include more Forgetting Sarah Marshall type flesh baring. End of the Tour is absolutely one of 2015's underseen gems.4 late night service station snack runs out of 5