When was the last time Hollywood dared to portray a conservative narrative without getting mocked? Enter 'The End of the Tour,' a movie about the last few days of author David Foster Wallace's book tour for his masterwork, Infinite Jest. This 2015 film, directed by James Ponsoldt, showcases a rare moment where the liberal narrative doesn't completely overshadow the story's deeper truths. Starring Jesse Eisenberg as Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky, and Jason Segel as Wallace himself, the drama unfolds in the frosty, flat landscapes of the Midwest, highlighting the everyday struggles of a truly brilliant mind.
One might ask, "What’s so conservative about this film, you ask?" It's not in your face, but it’s in there, simmering below the surface. Anyone worth their salt knows that truth, personal responsibility, and genuine human connection are values not typically honored by Hollywood's elite. Yet 'The End of the Tour' manages to emphasize these without getting tarnished by flashy distractions or overwritten scripts sold as moving pieces.
David Foster Wallace, portrayed with nuanced subtlety by Segel, emerges not as some glorified genius but as a deeply flawed individual striving for authenticity. Whether you’ve read 'Infinite Jest' or not, the film's exploration of Wallace’s psyche offers more than the usual patronizing drivel we often see being peddled as clever cinema. The movie takes you through Wallace’s complex web of thoughts, and while it doesn’t spoon-feed you the answers, it expects you to think critically—a delightful divergence from the echo-chamber mentality.
The rapport between Wallace and Lipsky offers a stark juxtaposition of ideologies and personal conflicts. They bicker over fame, envy, and journalistic integrity, digging into the fraught nature of storytelling and personal narrative. What’s remarkable about this is how the film manages to showcase the pitfalls of chasing fame for its own sake, a pursuit often lauded by those on the left as a necessary sacrifice for art or personal expression.
Wallace lived and worked in a pre-social media era, when people still wrote with the expectation that content ought to matter more than the noise surrounding it. The film campaigns for a return to such authenticity, standing proudly against the superficial culture of 'likes' and 'retweets'. Sure, some might argue that Wallace’s struggle with depression and self-worth is a universal theme, but it’s the film’s refusal to prescribe simple fixes or virtue signal that leaves a lasting impact.
While the dialogue ebbs and flows through intellectual exchanges, this movie is not an indictment of intelligence. Rather, it’s an argument for an intelligent life lived authentically and with purpose. In a world intoxicated by posturing and political correctness, seeing a person navigate tough conversations with unadulterated honesty is a breath of fresh air.
Moreover, 'The End of the Tour' forces the audience out of their comfort zone, challenging anyone who views life through a prism of soundbites. The film hinges on moral responsibility—a cornerstone of conservative thought—urging viewers to consider the consequences of their ambitions and interactions.
It's worth mentioning that the film doesn't shy away from Wallace's mental health struggles, as it illustrates the personal demons and societal pressures that contributed to his tragic downfall. Still, it doesn’t wallow in victimhood. Rather than memorializing Wallace as solely the sum of his ailments, the film reflects on the vast possibilities of what he represented—unfiltered genius and the relentless pursuit of meaning.
Audiences are left to ponder: where has that pursuit of honest storytelling gone in today’s world? Too often, films attempt to dilute complex issues into palatable forms of entertainment, while the creators pat themselves on the back for 'raising awareness'. In contrast, 'The End of the Tour' dignifies viewers with narratives that encourage viewers to grapple with challenging real-world questions.
The heart of the film strikes at the very base of individualism—the notion that each person holds the power to shape their narrative, irrespective of societal dictates. There's no point in pampering the audience with excuses. This is a testament to personal freedom and the impact of life choices, whether in private reflection or public discourse.
In essence, the movie isn’t just documentation of Wallace’s book tour, but a pointed reflection on the zeitgeist of an era steeped in genuine interaction, the kind where ideas mattered more than image. It’s a rare Hollywood offering—skeptical of grandiose artifice and harmonious with the belief that intellect and sincerity will always outshine superficiality.