Quick Info
This is a drama about five days in 1996 when Rolling Stone journalist David Lipsky (played by Jesse Eisenberg) follows renowned author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) at the end of his Infinite Jest book tour. What anchors the film is the rich, searching conversations between these two men—it's like eavesdropping on a series of thoughtful, confessional late-night talks, the kind you have on a long drive with someone fascinating but mysterious.
Segel's performance as Wallace gently surprised me; he brings so much awkward sincerity and fragility, straying far from the comedic roles you might know him for. There’s an early diner scene where Wallace ponders junk food and loneliness at a suburban table—it's funny, strikingly honest, and sad all at once. The film leans on dialogue, and while that's mostly its strength, it can sometimes feel a little stagey or as if it's more for people who love listening rather than watching things happen.
This is absolutely for those who are drawn to character studies, movies made of smart conversation, and anyone curious about writers and the messy lives behind big novels. If you’re after action or sweeping visuals, this won’t be your thing. But if you love films that make you think about your own weird relationship with fame, creativity, or even just companionship, this will quietly resonate.
