The End of the Tour

The End of the Tour
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJames Ponsoldt
Screenplay byDonald Margulies
Based onAlthough of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself
by David Lipsky
Produced by
  • James Dahl
  • Matt DeRoss
  • David Kanter
  • Mark Manuel
  • Ted O'Neal
Starring
CinematographyJakob Ihre
Edited byDarrin Navarro
Music byDanny Elfman
Production
companies
Distributed byA24
Release dates
  • January 23, 2015 (2015-01-23) (Sundance)
  • July 31, 2015 (2015-07-31) (United States)
Running time
106 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3 million

The End of the Tour is a 2015 American biographical drama film directed by James Ponsoldt and written by Donald Margulies. It is based on David Lipsky's 2010 memoir Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself (2010), which is about a five-day road trip he had with the author David Foster Wallace. The film stars Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg as Wallace and Lipsky, respectively.

Margulies first read Lipsky's memoir in 2011, and sent it to Ponsoldt, a former student of his, who took on the job of director. Filming took place in early 2014 in Michigan, with scenes also shot at the Mall of America. Danny Elfman provided the score, with the soundtrack featuring songs by musicians like R.E.M. and Brian Eno, whose inclusion was based on the kind of music Wallace and Lipsky listened to.

The End of the Tour premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2015, and was theatrically released by A24 in U.S. theatres on July 31, 2015. It grossed $3 million and received critical acclaim, particularly for the performance of Segel. He received Best Actor nominations from various awards groups, including the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.