Search form

THE LAST STATION (2009) (***)

Check Out the Trailer

In this film, Leo Tolstoy says that the one unifying element in all religions is love. That's the unifying theme of this film, which tells two love stories. The first romance is between Tolstoy and his wife Sofya, who seem to have grown in opposite directions. The second love story is between Valentin Bulgakov, who is completely dedicated to the Tolstoyan way of life, and Masha, who seems dedicated to Tolstoy's way of life.

Christopher Plummer as Tolstoy and Helen Mirren as Sofya both received Oscar nods. Plummer makes the writer of WAR AND PEACE into a Christ-like grandfather type, who allows the leaders of his movement to guide his decisions about what to do with his life's work once he has past. Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti, SIDEWAYS) is the chief leader who demands strict adherence to the principals of Tolstoyan philosophy and wants the copyrights to the work to go to the people of Russia. This of course put him in direct conflict with the countess who fears a far less comfortable life once her husband has passed if she loses control of his work and parts of their property. Vladimir hires Valentin (James McAvoy, ATONEMENT) to watch the countess and serve as Tolstoy's secretary. His devotion to the Tolstoyan way is strong, having remained a virgin into his 20s. But his devotion is challenged when he meets the less devout Masha (Kerry Condon, UNLEASHED), who works at a Tolstoyan retreat.

This is an actors' film in that the actors lift up the material. Plummer makes Tolstoy more warm than his stark working class attire and crazy beard suggest. He tells Valentin about his days sleeping around with women with great fondness, confessing that he isn't the best Tolstoyan. Mirren makes Sofya a practical woman, who loves her husband, but knows him. She is infuriated at how his followers hang on his every word. She misses the days when she advises her husband on characters in his work. Her loud and dramatic personality is in complete contrast with Tolstoy's peaceful humility. The moment when admirer Valentin first meets Tolstoy is one of remarkable acting from both Plummer and McAvoy. Tolstoy comes off as a genuinely interested and kind man who asks Valentin about his work, which brings the young man to tears of joy.

The narrative fails somewhat in tone and focus. The story never delves too deeply into it's characters. The actors give their characters nuance, but Michael Hoffman's script based on Jay Parini's novel feels at times like a dated stage comedy where characters listen in on conversations and personality tics get hit up for laughs over and over again. Valentin sneezes whenever he gets nervous. And when you have one of the great writers and thinkers ever to live at the center of your story, it's a distraction to move away to a bland young romance.

If you're looking for an in-depth examination of a great author, this isn't that film. What you will find is a sweet tale of love at the end of life. Leo and Sofya have a lasting bond, despite how they have changed in their mind frame over the years. Leo struggles between his love for his family and his devotion to the Tolstoyan way, while Sofya struggles with the forces that seem to be tearing her husband away from her. The title derives from Tolstoy dying in a train station after finally deciding to leave his family and become a wandering ascetic. Ironically, he didn't make it too far. If all you need is love, whether it be to one person or a whole nation, the film makes a clear case for which one is more important in the end.

Support the Site

Buy "The Last Station" on DVD Here!

Support the Site

Buy "The Last Station" on Blu-ray Here!

Rick DeMott's picture

Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks