Kerry Condon and James McAvoy in The Last Station
Photo: Sony Pictures Classics

I haven't read a word of Leo Tolstoy's novels so some may say I was approaching The Last Station at a disadvantage as it focuses on the final days of Tolstoy's life. Looking even further, I haven't seen any of writer/director Michael Hoffman's films prior to watching The Last Station, a film that appears to have gained Oscar attention out of a sheer lack of competition. That is to say this is a good film, but hardly worthy of such lofty acclaim as this is little more than a made-for-TV story acted out by some of the feature film world's elite.

James McAvoy stars as Valentin, and make no mistake about it, he is the sole lead of this film as he is introduced to the Tolstoy camp as the famous writer has renounced his noble title, his property and even his family in favor of poverty, vegetarianism and even celibacy. Amidst all of this is the Tolstoyan religious following based on Tolstoy's beliefs and founded by his closest friend, Vladimir Chertkov portrayed here with typical and expected flair by Paul Giamatti.

McAvoy comes within arms reach of his icon as an assistant but soon finds himself used by Chertkov who is concerned Tolstoy's wife, Sofya (Helen Mirren), will wreck havoc on his plans to put together a new will; one that will leave Tolstoy's works to the people of Russia and not to his family. There's obvious tension in the Tolstoy household and entering the fray as a disciple of Tolstoy, it takes a while before McAvoy's eyes begin to open as to who the man he has worshipped really is and what those around him have done to spoil everything he holds dear.

The Last Station is little more than a coming of age story as we watch McAvoy's character go from a celibate worshipper of a movement he learns isn't as pure as he thought it was, to experiencing what it means to be in love and realizing the truth about the world around him. Unfortunately, this "world" is portrayed in something of a "beat you over the head" fashion as we watch Sofya argue with her husband only to occasionally soothe him by clucking like a chicken and even take to grand theatrics to gain attention. Mirren is a much more restrained and calculated actress than we see here, as her character's actions are more a result of petty disagreement rather than logical disapproval.

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