Variety
Solid middlebrow biographical fare in which meaty roles are acted to the hilt by a cast more than ready for the feast.
Full review
The Last Station
A period romance set during the last year of the life and turbulent marriage of the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) and his wife the Countess Sofya (Helen Mirren).
After almost fifty years of marriage, Sofya – Tolstoy's devoted wife, lover, muse and secretary – suddenly finds her world turned upside down. In the name of his newly created religion, the novelist has renounced his noble title, his property and even his family (including their 13 children) in favour of poverty, vegetarianism and celibacy. Sofya also discovers that Tolstoy's trusted disciple, Chertkov (Paul Giamatti) may have convinced her husband to change his will, leaving the rights to his iconic novels to the Russian people rather than his own family. Consumed by righteous outrage, Sofya fights fiercely for what she believes is rightfully hers.
Into this minefield wanders Tolstoy's worshipful new assistant, the gullible Valentin (James McAvoy), who quickly becomes a pawn – first of the scheming Chertkov and then of the wounded, vengeful Sofya.
2009112 minsGermany, Russia, UK
AdaptationDramaTrue Story & Biography
- Director:
- Michael Hoffman ('A Midsummer Night's Dream')
- Writer:
- Michael Hoffman
- Cast:
- Christopher PlummerJames McAvoyHelen MirrenPaul GiamattiAnne-Marie DuffKerry CondonPatrick Kennedy
The Last Station / Reviews
The New York Times
The kind of movie that gives literature a bad name. Not because it undermines the dignity of a great writer and his work, but because it is so self-consciously eager to flaunt its own gravity and good taste.
Full reviewThe Guardian
Tolstoy's autumn years are turned into sitcom farce, with unspectacular result.
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Rolling Stone
The film itself, energetically directed and written by Michael Hoffman, can't always rise to the level of its two dynamo stars.
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Roger Ebert
Some women are simply sexy forever. Helen Mirren is a woman like that. She's 64. As she enters her 70s, we'll begin to develop a fondness for sexy septuagenarians.
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Los Angeles Times
For those who enjoy actors who can play it up without ever overplaying their hands, The Last Station is the destination of choice.
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Hollywood Reporter
Three superb performances by Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer and James McAvoy should have Oscar handicappers drooling.
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Empire Magazine
Handsome, engrossing, frequently very funny for a literary bio drama, and ultimately deeply moving, with pitch-perfect performances from one and all.
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