> The Last Station
3 stars (out of 5)
Director: Michael Hoffman
Cast: Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, Paul Giamatti, Anne-Marie Duff, Kerry Condon, James McAvoy, John Sessions
Rating: (M)
The Last Station is a real enigma: it looks great, the premise is fascinating and the cast is superb so it should be riveting. Not necessarily so.
Based on the relationship of the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) with his wife, Countess Sofya (Helen Mirren), The Last Station is set during the final year of Tolstoy's life.
Increasingly dissatisfied with the material trappings of success, Tolstoy decides to bequeath his work to the Russian people rather than his family, which annoys the Countess no end.
As Leo and Sofya's relationship deteriorates, another subplot emerges when Tolstoy's secretary, Valentin Bulgakov, (James McAvoy) becomes enamoured of the free-spirited charm of Marsha (Kerry Condon).
Stitched somewhere in the middle of the two very different relationships is the brilliant Paul Giamatti in the rather unlikely role of Tolstoy disciple Vladimir Cherkov.
Having a star cast is also The Last Station's Achilles heel, as there is too much time apportioned to James McAvoy's latest screen romance.
This is a shame, as any opportunity for the superb Helen Mirren to vent her spleen at the convincing Plummer is far too fleeting. Giamatti, too, fashions just enough of the bitterness from Sideways to give real depth to his part.
As Tolstoy nears the end of his life in a remote Russian railway station, it's disappointing to think of what might have been.
With more screen time allocated to Leo Tolstoy and Countess Sofya, it's highly likely that The Last Station would have been an entirely different entity.
Best thing: The beards; Giamatti's waxed moustache just trumps Plummer's ZZ Top effort.
Worst thing: James McAvoy's nervous grin.
See it with: Anyone not too precious about historical accuracy.
- Mark Orton.
