The Last Station

Name: The Last Station
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Released: December 4, 2009
Duration: 112 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, James McAvoy

2009

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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The Last Station

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: December 4, 2009 | R

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 novelist has renounced his noble title, his property andAfter 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 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)… Expand

Director: Michael Hoffman

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History

Rating: R

Runtime: 112 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

David Denby

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. Read full review

J.R. Jones

If you come to this expecting the philosophical depth and psychological detail of Tolstoy’s work you’re sure to be disappointed, but as an actors’ romp it’s delectable. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Every second Helen Mirren is on-screen in The Last Station is a study in peerless talent. Read full review

Empire Staff (Not credited)

Handsome, engrossing, frequently very funny for a literary bio drama, and ultimately deeply moving, with pitch-perfect performances from one and all. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Some women are simply sexy forever. Helen Mirren is a woman like that. She's 64. As she enters her 70s, we'll begin to develop a fondness for sexy septuagenarians. Read full review

Ella Taylor

Tolstoy fought a love-hate war with his bipolar wife, Sonya, and thank God for that, since it allows Helen Mirren, basically playing a cross between Ibsen drama queen Hedda Gabler and the little squirrel from "A Doll's House," to waltz away with the movie. Read full review

A.O. Scott

The kind of movie that gives literature a bad name. Not because it undermines the dignity of a great writer and his work, but because it is so self-consciously eager to flaunt its own gravity and good taste. Read full review

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User Reviews

Catherine

Jan 10, 2010

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.

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AnthonyW

Dec 11, 2009

Great movie with great performances, a good story about madness and love, with an unforgettable cast and score.

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Lyn

Aug 22, 2010

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 . . . justWhen 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

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DWilly

Jan 17, 2010

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 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

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beingryanjude

Sep 1, 2014

An astonishing story of the last days of Tolstoy's life, told so beautifully by grand performances from Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer and James McAvoy.

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