I saw on social media a posting listing the must see films of 2015
that were snubbed by the Oscars. The End of the Tour was one of them starring
Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg.
Totally blown away at how
amazing this film was and the superb acting by its lead, Jason Segel. He is the
master at creating the perfect disastrous image of a man and I mean that as a
compliment.
I'll admit I never heard of
David Foster Wallace or David Lipsky until I saw this film, but I don't think
that matters. For me the film was about two writers trying to express
themselves: one seems like he succeeds while the other envies him for it. A
line from the film sums up this concept for me.
“He wants more for himself and I want what he has” – David Lipsky
What consumed me about this film was the conversations between the two
main characters. I found myself wishing I was sitting in the back seat of the
car, so I could chime in with a "Ya but" or "Don't you
think". Instead I sat quietly on my couch listening tentatively with awe.
David Foster Wallace in the
film and I’m assuming in real life displayed the typical characteristics of all
great writers like Hemmingway and Fitzgerald- tortured souls who wrote to
release the demons that haunted them. Mr. Wallace seemed to be in a constant
struggle between wanting to succeed with his writing, but fearlessly protecting
himself from the letting the world in.
Writing like all art is a vulnerable form of expression of one’s emotions. I can relate to Mr. Wallace’s struggle to find balance, because to truly express yourself means to
expose yourself to the good, the bad and the ugly of the world. It reminds of a war and
in a battle, some people thrive in chaos while others retreat to safety. To triumph
completely is rare.
If David Foster Wallace was still alive
today, I would write him a fan letter thanking him for giving the interview to David Lipsky. Instead I’ll
do him the honor of reading his works of art.
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