The Last Station
Academy Award winner Helen Mirren (Best Actress, The Queen, 2006) and Christopher Plummer star in this compelling look at the final days of literary icon Leo Tolstoy. Having renounced his title and property, Tolstoy makes plans to donate his royalties to the Russian people, supported by his trusted disciple Chertkov (Paul Giamatti). Tolstoy's outraged wife wages a one-woman war to challenge her husband's outrageous act of idealism. Co-starring Golden Globe nominee James McAvoy (Atonement) as the novelist's worshipful assistant whose romance with a free-spirited young woman puts Tolstoy's notion of ideal love to the ultimate test.
Member Reviews
The Last Station - Patnb1
I didn't like this movie. It turns Tolstoy's last year into melodrama. No mention of his writings on anarchism or his hugely influential exchange of letters with Gandhi that was taking place during the time period depicted in the film. In fact, the film gives the false impression that Tolstoy is producing nothing at this point in his life. Lots of pretty trees, however.I loved this movie! - shekon
I am surprised at the low rating that others have given to this movie. It is not action packed but I didn't lose interest for a single moment. The script is strong and the story is set in a fascinating period in Russian history . There is magic between the characters played by Helen Mirren and Christopher Plumber that I can only liken to Hepburn and Harris in Lion in Winter.
If you are a history buff like me I think that you will like this one.Love beginning and ending - cinecynic
This story moves slowly, like a Russian winter. That didn't bother me until the last half hour or so, when Tolstoy finally leaves his home to escape his over-emotional wife, Sohpie, played with gusto by Helen Mirren. I don't think another actress could pull this role off as well as she does. Christopher Plummer as Tolstoy was okay, but his character pales in comparison.
James McAvoy and Kerry Conlon were bright lights in an otherwise monochromatic conflict. Through their relationship we explore the ideology of love. The Tolstoyan commune (where such relationships between workers is discouraged) is the backdrop, giving their relationship an added dimension and conflict.
The film, although interesting in subject, seems to peter out in the last half hour, and this is mostly because the central conflict of Sophie fighting to sway her husband to her way of thinking is finished. Tolstoy toddles off, and gets sick; but he never relents on his idealism, and his wife is reduced to waiting on a train to possibly say sorry and then goodbye. All very anticlimatic. Of course, death can be like that.
The young couple are reunited by the end, but we don't learn if they forge something lasting out of their fling at the commune. I felt that this subplot of new love was given short shrift, as it counterbalanced the main relationship between Tolstoy and Sophie who were depicted as old lovers, and deserved more final illumination.
Member Reviews
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The Last Station - Patnb1
I didn't like this movie. It turns Tolstoy's last year into melodrama. No mention of his writings on anarchism or his hugely influential exchange of letters with Gandhi that was taking place during the time period depicted in the film. In fact, the film gives ...I loved this movie! - shekon
I am surprised at the low rating that others have given to this movie. It is not action packed but I didn't lose interest for a single moment. The script is strong and the story is set in a fascinating period in Russian history . There is magic between the ...Love beginning and ending - cinecynic
This story moves slowly, like a Russian winter. That didn't bother me until the last half hour or so, when Tolstoy finally leaves his home to escape his over-emotional wife, Sohpie, played with gusto by Helen Mirren. I don't think another actress could pull ...