By PAUL WILLISTEIN

@Byline.Line2:pwillistein[AT]tnonline.com

“The End Of The Tour” is an Oscar nominee-worthy film about David Foster Wallace (1962 - 2008), who took his life less than a decade after the critical and commercial success of his book, “Infinite Jest” (1996).

The story takes place in Wallace’s Illinois home, at Illinois State University (where he taught) and in Minneapolis during a book publicity tour. Rolling Stone magazine writer David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) is along for the ride and the jibes, having spent five days visiting with, tagging along and interviewing Wallace (Jason Segel).

What develops is a verbal boxing match between Wallace, who wants to protect his privacy, and Lipsky, apparently, according to the film, tasked by his editors to stir controversy about Wallace, including his bouts of depression.

While on paper, the film might sound mundane, it is fascinating, owing to the mental alacrity and orneriness of the two main characters. The screenplay by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies, who adapted Lipsky’s “Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip With David Foster Wallace,” captures Wallace’s and Lipsky’s sparring, at times more akin to a bullfighter (Lipsky) stalking a bull (Wallace). Margulies develops the love-hate emotions that percolate in their brotherly bonding.

Director James Ponsoldt (“The Spectacular Now,” 2013) uses a documentary approach, with lots of closeups, hand-held and unvarnished cinematography by director of photography Jakob Ihre. The score by the inestimable Danny Elfman, with support from songs by R.E.M. and Brian Eno, amps up the tension between Wallace and Lipsky, whose relationship is as chilly as the snowy air.

“The End Of The Tour” might still fall short were it not for the extraordinary performance by Segel (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” 2008), a certain Oscar actor nominee contender. Segel, in bandanna, long hair and wire-rim glasses, disappears into the role. He softens his voice, shambles his walk and projects a world of pain from his piercing eyes. Eisenberg (”The Social Network,” 2010) is a brittle counterpoint, with clipped speech, angular body language and darting, furtive eyes.

Fine in supporting roles are Joan Cusack, Mickey Sumner, Mamie Gummer and Anna Chlumsky.

“The End Of The Tour” is a must-see for American literature devotees, or anyone who has had to put up with a self-possessed author or annoying journalist.

Credit Readers Anonymous: That’s Dan Roebuck as Jay Leno in a scene from the HBO movie, “The Late Shift” (1996), seen on TV in “The End Of The Tour.”

“The End Of The Tour,” MPAA rated R (Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian.) for language including some sexual references; Genre: Drama; Run time: 1 hr., 46 min.; Distributed by A24 Films.

Box Office, Aug. 21: “Straight Outta Compton” continued straight at No. 1, with $26.7 million, $111.4 million, two weeks, keeping “Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation” at No. 2 with $11.7 million, $157.7 million, four weeks; and keeping “Sinister 2” opening at No. 3, with $10.6 million, and “Hitman: Agent 47,” opening at No. 4, with $8.2 million;

5. “The Man From U.N.C.L.E,” $7.4 million, $26.6 million, two weeks; 6. “American Ultra,” $5.5 million, opening; 7. “The Gift,” $4.3 million, $31 million, three weeks; 8. “Ant-Man,” $4 million, $164.5 million, six weeks; 9. “Minions,” $3.7 million, $319.9 million, six weeks; 10. “Fantastic Four,” $3.6 million; $49.6 million, three weeks

Unreel, Aug. 28: “Z For Zachariah,” PG-13: Chris Pine, Margo Robbie and Chiwetel Ejiofor star in the science-fiction thriller about a disaster that devastates civilization and leaves is lone survivors scrambling.

“We Are Your Friends,” R: An aspiring deejay wants to become a success on the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) scene. Emily Ratajkowski, Zac Efron, Jon Bernthal and Jonny Weston star in the romantic-drama.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes