Movie Review of The Last Station
Director: Michael Hoffman
Cast: Robert Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti, Christopher Plummer
Review:
The Last Station focuses upon the last days of famous Russion author Leo Tolstoy and his wife Sofya. The Last Station definitely revolves around Leo Tolstoy but also how his decisions and actions changed his family’s life. Sofya, his wife cum secretary was with him for the last 48 years and she had given him 13 children. The major issue as shown in the movie is the issue of Tolstoy’s will with respect to rights of his literary property. It was quite obvious that his wife, Sofya will be the next owner of his estate but then it went to Russian people or we can say that it was made public as per Tolstoy’s will which is claimed by Tolstoy’s disciple, Chertkov played by Paul Giamatti. Very desperately, Chertkov tries to get Tolstoy sign away all his work to public domain and in order to do so he recruited young Valentin played by James McAvoy as Tolstoy’s new assistant who actually serves as Chertkov’s spy who tells her about everything that is happening in the household.
The Last Station tells us how Sofya’s life changed after one decision that Leo Tolstoy made to open gates for his literary estate for people of russion.this leaves behind his family in despair and poverty. Sofya is a demonstrative, mercurial, lusty and intelligent women and this kind of role was perfect for Mirren, who displays these characterstics effectively. Mirren has indeed given intense performance showing the depth of her character Sofya and her feelings for her husband. Good direction and strong acting has made The Last Station a deep movie.
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