The Last Station (2009)

Let's be realistic.

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Wow, I loved The Last Station (2009) which I plucked off the shelf at my library. This was a real gem of a movie in all phases.The story is terrific, much more interesting than I thought. Tolstoy (Christoper Plummer) was the world-famous author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina. In fact, he was a Count in Russia, treated like royalty. But his writings and the Tolstoyan movement preached abstinence of possessions and sex, and that all people should be treated equally.The problem is that Tolstoy, as he admitted multiple times in the movie, was not a very devout Tolstoyan himself, having fathered 13 children while living in a luxurious castle with every human pleasure he wanted. Moreso than for him, his wife Sofya, the Countess (Helen Mirren), likes the possessions they have earned, and knows all about Tolstoy's real history, since they'd been together almost 50 years.Enter a few other characters like Valentin (James McAvoy) as his young, exuberant, celibate Secretary, Masha (Ann Marie Duff)a rebellious Tolstoyan living in the community, and mostly Cherkov (Paul Giamatti), kind of like Tolstoy's consigliere from the Godfather films, who is driving the expansion and business side of Tolstoy's movement.The major thrust of the story is the constant conflict between the triangle of Tolstoy vs Sofya his wife, who is fighting against Chertkov, who tries to get Valentin involved as his "spy" of the inner Tolstoy circle. The push and pull, back and forth, from beginning to end is constant, and annoying. I found myself screaming at them to just let it go and stop whining like little spoiled brats, but I guess they could not.Great story, but the real gem is the acting. Christoper Plummer is world famous and he delivers a Tolstoy who is honest, cynical, driven, and yes loving. He loves Sofya very much. Helen Mirren is absolutely over the top fantastic as Countess Sofya, delivering all the right emotions of knowing the real Tolstoy, expressing unbridled emotion at times in so many ways. It made me wonder whether the real Countess has some bipolar disease, or whether she just did not want to see people act as vultures around her aging husband, picking apart his will and his belongings to their own profit.What I really like about this film is that they all spoke straight English. No one pretended to put on Russian accents. There were no scenes with sub-titled Russian. Simple. Sure the costumes were culturally correct, as was the setting. Apart from one scene where Mirren held up a paper with Russian characters, the Director stayed away from this distraction.The Director, Michael Hoffman, is not that experienced or well known. However, he also wrote the screenplay, so he obviously knew the story and what he wanted to achieve. He basically let this talented group live the story, and guided it to a well-oiled finale.The one area that was so-so was the cinematography, which was nothing special because most of the scenes took place in two areas - the Tolstoy castle home and the village community, with some fleeting scenes in Moscow.Overall,the Last Station is a terrific movie, with an interesting story, and phenomenal performances by Mirren and Plummer. This one should be on your must-see list. Don't miss this stop - Enjoy.

A biography of Leo Tolstoy as he struggles to balance his fame with his beliefs.Starring Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Christopher Plummer and Kerry Condon.Written by Michael Hoffman (Screenplay) and Jay Parini (Novel).Directed by Michael Hoffman.This is one of those that I didn't really fancy because on paper it doesn't sound too thrilling.But it's actually compelling stuff. The story of Tolstoy's final years is fascinating, beautifully told and perfectly cast. Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer and James McAvoy deliver stellar performances.I have never read anything by Leo Tolstoy so I wasn't sure whether this movie would resonate with me in any way, but it's actually one of the best I've seen in recent weeks. I love the way Michael Hoffman weaves a love story into the mix and it works perfectly.Enjoyed. Not sure if I'm ready for war and peace yet! How long is it?10/10

In old Russia, a few decades before the revolution, Tolstoy is ill and the end of his days are near. He wants peace more than anything. But, alas, it is fleeting. In his later years, he has developed a philosophy of thrift, charity, and chastity. He has a number of devoted followers, including Cherkhov (Paul Giamatti). Leo wants, especially, to help peasants so he has changed his will. All future royalties from his famous works will be given to the "Russian People". But, this action has thrown him into conflict with his long loyal wife, Sofya (Helen Mirren), the mother of thirteen children. Although she has nothing against charity, she wants the money for her children and her grandchildren, even though they will be provided for comfortably. So, there is a never ending power struggle between Cherkhov and Sofya. To help soothe matters, Cherkhov hires a true believer of Tolstoy's ideas, a man named Valentin (James McAvoy) to be his personal secretary and to keep Sofya at bay. This is called the best laid plans. It doesn't work. First, Valentin finds himself rejecting chastity, even though he has always been strong, in the presence of a lady named Masha, who has given up her former life to do strenuous household chores for Tolstoy. Then, Valentine becomes an unwitting pawn in that he admires both Tolstory and Sofia. Finally, Leo moves out, in the cloak of night, to a location in Southern Russia, an abandoned train station. He takes with him his daughter, doctor, and Cherkhov. Now, perhaps he can die in serenity. Will it be so? This is an outstandingly lovely film about the last days of the great Russian writer Tolstoy. What is now reserved for movie stars and rock singers, a country's adulation, was once given to authors and Tolstoy towered over all others. Also, as one can imagine, he was idolized by the poor as well, so his last breaths were counted by every citizen. In telling this story, writer-director Michael Hoffman has brought a forgotten-by-the-now-generation to vibrancy. The world says thank you. In addition, the cast of Plummer, Mirren, McAvoy, Giamatti, and the rest is topnotch, deserving much praise. Sets and costumes dazzle, too, as does the magnificent photography. Case in point is a scene in which Sofya falls into a pond, to be rescued by Valentin. What a superb set of shots and they are not alone. All in all, The Last Station should not be last on anyone's list of must see films. Go out and find it today.

"The Last Station" is a historical drama that illustrates Russian author Leo Tolstoy's struggle to balance fame and wealth with his commitment to a life devoid of material things. Given a limited release, this movie never received the accolades it deserved.Cast wise, a hub of talent at work. Christopher Plummer depicts the titular character with such devotion and authority that a picture of Leo Tolstoy stay etched in our mind just as depicted on screen. Helen Mirren is the true igniter of this movie with her splendid performance as Tolstoy's wife whose conflicts with her husband over the impact of Tolstoy's philosophy on their family possession is brilliantly showcased by Mirren. James McAvoy is absolutely charming in his role of Tolstoy's assistant. Also competent is Paul Giamatti, a devoted scholar of Tolstoy's teachings."The Last Station" strength lies in every aspect of its production. The perfect Casting, subtle Storyline, appropriate Running Time, amazing Direction and Screenplay etc are top-drawer. It's arduous to find something too regrettable about the movie to be mentioned.Overall, "The Last Station" is a wonderful depiction of the most celebrated Russian writer, Leo Tolstoy. To watch great talents at their best is an experience, but coupling the above with an insight into a great personality is a blessing.My Verdict: 8/10