The Last Station
The Last Station Image
See the trailer
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Starring: Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, James McAvoy
  • Summary: After almost fifty years of marriage, the Countess Sofya, Leo Tolstoy’s devoted wife, passionate lover, muse and secretary—she’s copied out War and Peace six times…by hand!—suddenly finds her entire world turned upside down. In the name of his newly created religion, the great Russian noveliian novelist has renounced his noble title, his property and even his family in favor of poverty, vegetarianism and even celibacy. After she’s born him thirteen children!
    When Sofya then discovers that Tolstoy’s trusted disciple, Chertkov—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. This is the last straw. Using every bit of cunning, every trick of seduction in her considerable arsenal, she fights fiercely for what she believes is rightfully hers. The more extreme her behavior becomes, however, the more easily Chertkov is able to persuade Tolstoy of the damage she will do to his glorious legacy. (Sony Picture Classics)    … Collapse

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: David Denby
    100
    This production, directed by Michael Hoffman, is like a great night at the theatre--the two performing demons go at each other full tilt and produce scenes of Shakespearean affection, chagrin, and rage.
  2. Arizona Republic
    Reviewed by: Bill Goodykoontz
    80
    Never miss a chance to see Helen Mirren. You certainly could do worse as far as movie advice goes. Mirren may not be the only reason to see The Last Station, about the final year of Leo Tolstoy's long, eventful life, but she's the best reason.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    80
    Handsome, engrossing, frequently very funny for a literary bio drama, and ultimately deeply moving, with pitch-perfect performances from one and all.
  4. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    60
    Though it feels at first like a musty edition of "Masterpiece Theatre," Michael Hoffman's adaptation of a novel by Jay Parini holds enough surprises to make a memorable impact.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Catherine
    10
    Absolutely adored this film, watched it twice. The ensemble is impeccable, the photography stunning, the dialog just right. Michael Hoffman has grown a great deal as a director and the performances by Mirren, Plummer and McAvoy are a joy to witness. I think this is my favorite film of the year.… Expand
  2. Lyn
    9
    When Helen Mirren got an Oscar nomination for this, I thought, hoo, boy, does she have to get nominated for every film she does? But having seen the film now, I have to say she totally deserved it! As Tolstoy's wife, she is smart, tormented, manipulative, sensual, vulnerable . . . just amazing. Christopher Plummer is terrific, too.… Expand
  3. AnthonyW
    9
    Great movie with great performances, a good story about madness and love, with an unforgettable cast and score.
  4. DWilly
    8
    This is a first rate film and has pushed past "Julia & Julie" as my selection for best movie of the year. Mirren and Plummer are simply magnificent, and this McAvoy kid now proves himself to be unquestionably the real deal, demonstrating both comedic and big-time dramatic chops. Giamatti is first rate as usual and this Kerry Condon (from the towering HBO miniseries "Rome") showing herself ready to give Emily Blunt a run for her money. This director shows how, though long into his unremarkable career (with the exception of the under the radar "Game 6"), there's a masterpiece is yet available to thems that persevere; and Dom Delillo, with a cult following as a novelist, breaksthrough with his adapted screenplay. Learn about Tolstoy, delight to the bold and smartly portrayed human politics, and watch the craft of acting renderered with both nimbleness and punch.… Expand

Trailers

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Star Trek Into Darkness
    Metascore: 72
  2. Iron Man 3
    Metascore: 62
  3. 42
    Metascore: 62
  4. Evil Dead (2013)
    Metascore: 57
  5. Oblivion
    Metascore: 54
  6. The Great Gatsby
    Metascore: 54
  7. Pain & Gain
    Metascore: 43
  8. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
    Metascore: 41
  9. The Host
    Metascore: 35
  10. The Hangover Part III
    Metascore: 32
  11. The Big Wedding
    Metascore: 29
  12. Tyler Perry's Temptation
    Metascore: 27
  13. Scary Movie 5
    Metascore: 11
All Current Movies »