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Director James Ponsoldt, along with others including Jason
Segel, answer questions after a screening of The End of the Tour.
Jesse Eisenberg, who plays Lipsky to great effect in the film, did
not attend the Q and A.
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The End of the Tour
One of the standout titles from Sundance '15, the film is based on David Lipsky's book Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself, about his four days spent with the author David Foster Wallace while preparing for a Rolling Stone story.
The story was never published but Lipsky instead wrote the book about his time spent with Foster Wallace, a bit of a recluse, who was hailed as the writer of his generation. Battling depression his whole life, the glare of attention he received from his highly acclaimed 1,000 page novel Infinite Jest exacerbated his difficulty coping with his notoriety. Seemingly, he both craved and abhorred the attention his talent attracted. At 46, he committed suicide by hanging himself at home.
Sleeping With Other People
Director/Writer: Leslye Headland Starring: Jason Sudeikis as Jake and Alison Brie as Lainey
Two virgins meet up in college, both late bloomers, they proceed to relieve each other of their burdensome V cards. A one time connection, they go their separate ways, but a permanent bond has been cemented. Fast forward 10 years and they have another chance encounter at a sex addicts anonymous meeting. Apparently late bloomers run the risk towards sex obsession. Perhaps the long delayed gratification breaks through the floodgates creating a deluge of desire.
A truly refreshing window inside the way we really view sex and cheating and fidelity. When Jake gives Lainey a lesson on how to pleasure herself, using an empty green tea bottle as his visual aid, it's hilarious, if a bit off the mark. Viewing Jason Sudeikis as a "player" at first seems a stretch, we view him as a funny man, but why not? He is certainly pleasant to look at and charming, he rises to the occasion.
Few things elevate or torpedo a film more than the script, saving an otherwise lackluster film or sinking one with promise. This inspired smart and smarmy script begs the question, why aren't there more films like this?
