The Last Station (15)

The life of Leo Tolstoy, post completion of his major literary works (War and Peace, Anna Karenina) seems, at first sight, a rather odd choice of subject matter. The film, set in early 20th century Russia, revolves around Tolstoy's (Christopher Plummer's) struggle to reconcile his passionate love for his materialistic wife Sofya (Helen Mirren), with his own Utopian vision of society; a radical, idealistic vision of society insisting that true freedom and wealth are incompatible allies.

James McAvoy , himself a philosophical ingénue, is engaged into the household as Tolstoy’s personal secretary, Valentin. Initially overwhelmed by the great man’s reputation, he is at first an impartial observer. Gradually however, he is unwittingly drawn into an increasingly emotional and volatile struggle for Tolstoy’s affections. On the one hand is Chertkov, (Paul Giamatti) Tolstoy's leading disciple, merciless in his absolute conviction that Tolstoy's legacy, upon his death, should pass unconditionally to the Russian people; on the other, Sofya; relentlessly questioning the purity of Chertkov's motives (and those of Tolstoy's sycophantic followers) and quite naturally concerned for the future of their 13 children.

However, any nagging doubts over the storyline are quickly dispelled by some stunning individual performances. Mirren, the new doyenne of British cinema is truly outstanding moving seamlessly from sensitive, sensual wife to demented protector of her children's inheritance. Plummer, perhaps his finest role, captures Tolstoy's inner turmoil almost perfectly. McAvoy, increasingly impressive with each new role, mirrors Tolstoy's ultimately destructive, philosophical conflict reluctantly shedding his idealistic innocence. Giamatti's Chertkov is powerfully restrained although his extreme antipathy towards Sofya is under-explored and consequently unconvincing. However, Chertkov remained true to his "tolstoyan" philosophy until his death in 1936, testimony indeed to the sincerity of his motivation.

Michael Hoffman (perhaps best known for having given Hugh Grant his first break in the movie, "Privileged"), cleverly adapts Jay Parini’s 1990 novel of the same name, producing and directing with quiet confidence, wonderfully portraying the sense of time and place and avoiding the pitfalls of “costume dramas”.
Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren temporarily reconciled, from “The Last Station”.
photogallery.filmofilia.com/data/media/209/th..


The film ultimately disappoints however, trundling towards an inevitable and rather predictable denouement with Tolstoy himself becoming the not-entirely-innocent victim of his own conflict. The closing scenes are a little heavy- handed and at 113 minutes, the film is 10-15 minutes too long. And power. Slightly more insight into the genius of the man and his writing would have given the story more context, weight and power.

Verdict
Hoffman should nevertheless take pride in his creation. The performances more than make up for a slightly lightweight storyline. 7/10.

Dick Morgan
February 2010