The Last Station (15)

Adapted from Jay Parini’s novel, The Last Station explores Leo Tolstoy’s final months in 1910, when the author of War and Peace was a media celebrity extolling the virtues of pacifism and mystical Christian communism. Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) has his attention and energy torn between his main disciple, the manipulative Vladimir Chertkov (a beard stroking Paul Giammatti), and the writer’s jealous, but loyal, wife of 48 years, the Countess Sofya (Helen Mirren).

Sofya is certain that Chertkov is plotting to rob her family of their rightful inheritance by getting Tolstoy to sign over the literary rights of his work to the Russian people. Chertkov, on the other hand, distrustful of Sofya, sends Valentin (James McAvoy), a star-struck young disciple, to act as Tolstoy’s private secretary, and to keep a watchful eye on the volatile Countess. What no one expects is that Valentin’s exposure to the great man, his family, and his ideals, will have a profound effect on the young man and his allegiances.

The chemistry between Plummer and Mirren is palpable, and together they seem entirely credible as a couple who cannot live with or without each other. McAvoy, who transforms from innocent believer into essential member of the Tolstoy clan, has the burden of the dramatic narrative on his shoulders and is as solid as ever.