The Last Station

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source: The Last Station

It is classic. It is brilliant. I like it so much. It is slow, but each moment is enjoyable. I haven't seen anything of that level for some time. Actors are absolutely , astonishingly great. It is slow, it is not an action movie, but it is a masterpiece. It is a bit like Tolstoy's things themselves. 10 out of 10. Made me to register with IMDb. The other thing. Usually an interpretation of Russian literature, culture and living in western movies is a bit odd, even in old, commonly accepted classic movies, or in the best modern ones, like Enemy at the gate. This one is very authentic. It is the best movie about Tolstoy ever. That is including Russian movies.

Firstly you have to know I am a sucker for a good frock movie. Even if the plot is rubbish I just adore stories set in the past. Whether it was ever really like that at all, matters not a jot. This movie though felt as authentic as it gets. Yes, I noticed all the beautiful hats (yum) and fantastic interiors, the bucolic flower strewn meadows and forest landscape and the lovely lovely trains and stations. The detail of mis en scene was exquisite. I was just transported to the early 20th century in an instant. All the actors looked comfortable telling a story back then. However for me The Countess played by a stellar Helen Mirren was so modern I felt a total empathy with her. I was just entranced and gripped by her anger and sense of injustice. These guys were behaving like real old married people. Talk about coming alive on the screen. How refreshing was that. Love it.

I loved this movie Helen Mirren I saw it for the first time in this movie and I really liked it. I also liked James McAvoy in the role of Valentin.

The last months of Tolstoy's life have been used to explore some fundamental elements of human relationships. The core nature of love both in its infancy, represented by the characters Valentin and Masha, and in maturity, as represented between Tolstoy and his wife, is wonderfully revealed. Of course people argue like hell as they get older but can they still love each other deeply. That is a vitally important point often lost in modern society but one which this film is trying to express. The handicap of wealth and the weakness it brings upon its holders, the corruption of any core ideology through the fanaticism of its followers are other important themes in this brilliant work. Oscars were certainly due to Helen Mirren as the Countess Tolstoy, Christopher Plummer as the man himself and the screenplay but of course the bias against intellectualism in Hollywood prevented any being awarded. This is a must see production for anyone with a mind.

Other 10 star reviews have already said all I would want to say. Therefore I'll restrict my review to a few simple words. This is a magnificent film, the best I have seen in the last twelve months (and i am a "twice a week" film goer) Great story, brilliant acting and a joy to look at; the attention to detail is breathtaking. Great that Helen Mirren has been recognised with award nominations but sad that Christopher Plummer, arguably the finest film actor of his generation, has been overlooked. The Last Station is as good as Doctor Zhivago and in my mind there is no higher accolade.

I did not realize that Tolstoy had such a dramatic life and such a drama queen for a wife. Perhaps if I read War and Peace I would have a better idea.