Review: The Last Station

The Last Station

OPENING: 12/23/2009

STUDIO: Sony

RUN TIME: 112 min

ACCOMPLICES:
Trailer, Official Site

The Charge
Intoxicating. Infuriating. Impossible. Love.

Opening Statement
Based off a novel by Jay Parini, The Last Station focuses on the great author Leo Tolstoy’s final days, and the constant battle to balance the love he holds for both his family and his “Tolstoyan Movement.” This historical drama is the complete package, blending solid performances with splendid writing and top notch production values.

Facts of the Case
Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus) has been blessed with a fortunate life. He is one of the greatest authors, not just in his home country of Russia, but all over the world. He has an extremely loving wife, Sofya (Helen Mirren, Inkheart), and the income he receives annually from sales of his much-admired novels isn’t too shabby. With a fantastically-lived life coming to an end, what can Tolstoy possibly have to grumble about? Well, he is a dense “Tolstoyan,” an individual who believes materialistic things are corruptive and evil. With his days ticking away, these beliefs put his wife and his daughter’s inheritance in serious jeopardy. Tolstoy is on the verge of signing a will that will dish out his property, work, and money to the people of Russia; in order to avoid corrupting his family with thoughts of greed and voracity. This threat looming large, Sofya does everything in her power to change her husband’s mind before that final day arrives.

The Evidence
The Last Station has a ton of assets going for it, the greatest of which is an abundance of epic performances. James McAvoy (Wanted) portrays Valentin Bulgakov, a devoted Tolstoyan and newly appointed Tolstoy secretary, whose values are blurred when falling in love with another Tolstoyan believer named Masha (Kerry Condon, Rome). McAvoy displays great passion and sensitivity when his character must decide whether to support his idol or his wife, whom he gets to know throughout the course of the film. As always, Paul Giamatti (Cold Souls) puts on a solid act, this time as Vladimir Chertkov, Tolstoy’s best friend and biggest advocate for the distribution of Tolstoy’s assets. Giamatti is a great antagonist, using subtlety and refinement to embody a chillingly evil character.

Without question, The Last Station‘s greatest performances belong to its leads. Even at 80 years of age, Christopher Plummer can light up the silver screen as well as anyone in Hollywood. The fluffy bearded thespian rotates from a loving husband to a passionate self-righteous Tolstoyan as if it’s second nature. As for Helen Mirren… well, if this depiction of Sofya Tolstoy doesn’t earn her a second Oscar, I’m not sure what will. The Dame completely steals the show, as if this tragic, intricate character was her alter-ego.

Kudos are also in order for director/producer Michael Hoffman (Soapdish). It’s not easy to turn a biography into an entertaining motion picture, but by golly did he ever! While I haven’t yet read the book, the way the film focuses primarily on Sofya is an especially interesting way to view the final year of Tolstoy’s life. The Last Station‘s mixture of comedy, romance, drama, and grief is perfect, making this an intelligently-written, heartfelt story that viewers won’t want to stop watching. Shot on location in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, the beautiful locales and use of vintage costuming gives the film a very authentic feel.

Closing Statement
Completely natural, rarely dull, void of any visual effects or CGI, and loaded with marvelous performances; this is a solid piece of filmmaking that earnestly deserved to be one of the ten Best Picture nominees for the 82nd Academy Awards. While it may have been the last film on the minds of Academy voters, the next time you’re in need of a movie make The Last Station your first, last, and only option!

The Verdict
9/10

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