GurlyIamBeach Instant Favorite.

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

ChicDragon It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Benas Mcloughlin Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Jackson Booth-Millard I didn't know anything about what this movie was about, only one or two of its stars, and I knew the critics gave it slightly low ratings, but I was prepared to give it a chance, directed by Michael Hoffman (One Fine Day). Basically set in the year 1910, the last year in the life famous Russian author Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer), regarded as one of the greatest writers of all time. Tolstoy was thought of as a saint or a prophet, with many followers known as "disciples", his most famous works are probably War and Peace, and Anna Karenina. The story sees Tolstoy's disciples, led by Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti), trying to get control of his legacy and the copyright of his works, after he dies, from his wife Sofya (Dame Helen Mirren). The main setting is Tolstoy's country estate of Yasnaya Polyana, Tolstoy and his wife have had a long, passionate marriage, she mothered his fifteen children, but they are at odds with her more aristocratic and conventionally religious views. The manoeuvring of the copyrights is seen through the eyes of Tolstoy's new secretary, Valentin Bulgakov (James McAvoy), who is inbetween both sides, he also has a love affair with Masha (Kerry Condon), one of the Tolstoians. Ultimately, Tolstoy signs the new will and travels to an undisclosed location (the last station of the title), to continue his work undisturbed, after his departure, Sofya unsuccessfully attempts to commit suicide, trying to drown herself in the lake. During his journey, Tolstoy falls ill, it ends with his near death at the Astapovo train station, daughter Sasha (Anne-Marie Duff) allows her to see him moments before his death, it is revealed that five years later the Russian senate reverted the copyrights of Tolstoy's work to Sofya. Also starring John Sessions as Dushan, Patrick Kennedy as Sergeyenko and Tomas Spencer as Andrey. Plummer looks the part with the big white hair and beard, Mirren is interesting as his wife, it was perhaps a mistake to have McAvoy be more focused on rather than the sparks flying between Plummer and Mirren, the story lacked flair, but there were a few interesting moments, overall it was a slightly below average period biographical drama. Okay!

willcundallreview Rating-7/10The Last Station is a biopic of good proportions and delivers them thoroughly and dramatically to produce a film about Leo Tolstoy that isn't his point of view at all, if anything is criticises parts of his mentality. It isn't scared to show the fragility's of every person included in this film and just what it takes to push them over the limit. I particularly liked this movie also for it's moments of silent drama pieced with it's angry drama together which build up for a good drama, and that is exactly what I found it, a safely good drama.The story is slow yes but it has to be to that to show the drama unravel and who is treacherous and who is faithful for a good film that shows good drama. I enjoyed the more humorous side with James McAvoy portraying a character who although it is in no way a comedy but a drama that isn't afraid to not always be serious and produce a more light side that runs along side the darker tones too. Finally on the story it is a story that starts by being more happy than expected but by the end darker tones come in and not to ruin it but it is dark until the very last few scenes(well kind of).Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren(both nominated for Oscars) do superb and although Ii actually didn't feel this was Mirren's best, she still did a great job as the slightly damaged wife. Plummer I felt was great support for McAvoy as the main man Tolstoy, he excerpted his smart mind with a tad of crazy to bring in a portrayal that can dazzle. Supporting cast are all good, literally nearly all of them and the film gains on that point with a solid cast as I said. I finally will say that the acting deserves more praise as the characters are diverse and unpredictable, and so there skills are pushed to the limit, all of them.This is based on Jay Parini's book of the same name and the screenplay adaption by Michael Hoffman is a well unknown if it is a good on the book but in any cast the script is good and is of course adapted very well by the actors on screen. Hoffman is also director and proves to be a great one of that making this film nearly very good, but not quite. Finally on technical terms the locations are beautiful in Tolstoy's grounds and make for a drama yes, but it is beautiful to look at if you happened to not like the story.The film is not without criticism but not a lot so here is the only thing I found wrong with this, the film is incredibly slow and set in the most similar places scene for scene, now personally I found the drama in most scenes but I felt maybe some were wasted and boring, but also why my rating is not higher than what I gave it. I think some will not find these annoying and some will hate the entire film but in the end it is your opinion.I think those who enjoy straight drama will love this and if you enjoy films set in these kind of early 20th century settings then it is perfection for you, although maybe a more romantic film set in this time would be a better choice for you. Those who like big and loud films stay away, this is slow and also slow releasing drama that is for those who like it that way, but still worth a watch nonetheless.Overall I give it a 7/10 and it is Safely a Good film, it just escapes from being simply Pretty Good and I feel I could have rated it a bit higher, but also rated it lower. People will be mixed on how to rate it and although I do believe if you watch this you will like it, in the final end it comes right down to preference and what kind of film you enjoy watching. Finally also even if you don't like films like this, if you are an aspiring actor this film has prime example of how to be a good actor and really is worth taking notes on.

Armand Charming. Impressive. But the final impression is about few great actors on stage. The taste of theater play is deep. And the novel is only pretext for a a nice interpretation. The virtue, in this case, is the story in spring clothes. Invitation to read the novel. And to discover Tolstoi universe. Pray of expectations, the film is only a personal adaptation of a book. And one of images of subjective huge writer. It is not another solution. The result is decent and Christopher Plummer seductive, Helen Mirrer - brilliant and James McAvoid - the same.But the deep waters are avoided. Piece of old Russia in the pocket of West director, The Last Station is only a impression. An interesting toy in the light of lost time, a beautiful drawing in delicate colors.

psyran-1 Rather than present at least a GLIMPSE of Tolstoy's brilliance, Christopher Plummer depicts him as a one-dimensional, gruff, lovable old coot. He hardly has any lines throughout the movie, and the other characters are equally devoid of any depth. Helen Mirren's character is supposed to be self-centered and calculating, but even she breaks down into saccharine lightness at the end. The entire film is a descent into maudlin, pretentious sentimentality, and is only atmospheric, not substantive. Instead of being an accurate portrayal of early 1900's Russia, we are given "Russia-lite." We don't have a clue about Tolstoy's inner thoughts and motivations, because we see only an affable geezer. This was a squandered opportunity to reveal the mind of a complicated, social visionary. The director chose cute over interesting.