REVIEW: The Last Station

Plot summary from Landmark Theatres:

After almost fifty years of marriage, Countess Sofya (Helen Mirren, Academy Award nominee for Best Actress), the devoted wife, passionate lover, muse and secretary of Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer, Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor), suddenly finds her entire world turned upside down. In the name of his newly created religion, the great Russian novelist has renounced his noble title, his property and even his family in favor of poverty, vegetarianism and even celibacy. When Sofya then discovers that Tolstoy's trusted disciple, Chertkov (Paul Giamatti)—whom she despises—may have secretly convinced her husband to sign a new will, leaving the rights to his iconic novels to the Russian people rather than his very own family, she is consumed by righteous outrage. Into this minefield wanders Tolstoy's worshipful new assistant, the young, gullible Valentin (James McAvoy). In no time, he becomes a pawn, first of the scheming Chertkov and then of the wounded, vengeful Sofya as each plots to undermine the other's gains. Complicating Valentin's life even further is the overwhelming passion he feels for the beautiful, spirited Marsha (Kerry Condon), a free thinking adherent of Tolstoy's new religion whose unconventional attitudes about sex and love both compel and confuse him. A tale of two romances, one beginning, one near its end, The Last Station is a complex, funny, rich and emotional story about the difficulty of living with love and the impossibility of living without it.

An interesting, beautifully done film exploring the dilemna that can often exist between one's high arching morals and what their heart tells them they want, and the conflict that arises in trying to determine which is the "correct" action.

Amazing acting all around, in particular James McAvoy. Towards the begining there is a fantastic seen where McAvoy is meeting his idol Tolstoy (Plummer) for the first time that was extremely well done. I felt as if I were meeting my own idol. Helen Mirren also does a nice job as the Countess in a slightly different role for her. Her character is overly dramatic and self-centered, yet charming and sympathetic. The passion, love, and anger her and Christopher Plummer convey is amazing and complex. While they obviously adore one another, the have matured in such different paths it has become impossible for them to live with one another in peace. The tension of being so in love yet at such odds is present all the time. Both the moments of rage and the moments of loving understanding are so well done and very beautiful.

The Last Station is a movie about the high ideals of right and wrong and most importantly love. Love of life, love of ones people, love of an ideal, and love of a romantic nature/soul mate. While Wade felt the movie seemed to jump around a lot without being able to really "get to the point", I felt that it leant itself perfectly to the idea of deciphering an ideal or moral code. Its challenging to work it out, what works with life and what should be discarded. There are always distractions and side-steps, never a clear path, and the movie shows that perfectly. In the end, you need to find the balance between living your ideals and living your life.

Wade: 3/5 stars

Kinsey:4/5 stars