The Last Station
Russia, Germany, United Kingdom
2009
112 Min
Color
2.35:1
English
Synopsis
In 1910, acclaimed Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, in the later stage of his life, works rather than a writer but as the leader of the Tolstoyan Movement, whose basic tenets are brotherly love and world peace through pacifism, and a denouncement of material wealth and physical love. His chief follower is Vladimir Chertkov, who does whatever he requires to advance the cause. Chertkov hires a young man named Valentin Bulgakov to be Tolstoy’s personal secretary in carrying out this work. Once ensconced in the life on the estate where much of the work is taking place, Bulgakov quickly learns that many there take from the movement only what he/she wants/believes. Also chief amongst the movement’s wants is the deeding of all Tolstoy’s writings to the people so that after his death it will become public domain. Tolstoy’s wife, the Countess Sofya Andreevna Tolstoy, believes that her husband’s writings are rightfully hers after he passes, as she wants and believes she deserves the monetary benefits derived from such. This places a strain between those in the movement, especially Chertov and the Tolstoy’s daughter Sasha, and the Countess. Bulgatov acts as the mediator between the parties, he who feels he needs to do what is truly in Tolstoy’s heart regardless of what Tolstoy may say or do. –IMDb
Director
Michael Hoffman
Michael Lynn Hoffman (born November 30, 1956) is an American film director.
Hoffman was born in Hawaii and grew up in Payette, Idaho, played basketball, and attended college at Boise State University. There he was elected as student body president of BSU. He was a cofounder of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival (along with Doug Copsey and Victoria Holloway) which is celebrating its 30 year anniversary this year. While at BSU, he served as president of the student body and earned the high honor of Rhodes Scholar, the first BSU alumnus to achieve this honor. While studying at Oriel College, Oxford, he extended his interest in drama by founding the Oxford University Film Foundation, (OUFF), and by making a student film Privileged, which starred a young Hugh Grant.
Befriended by John Schlesinger, who provided the funding, Michael’s next film was Restless Natives, a humorous look at young Scottish boys who hold up tour buses. His other credits include Some Girls, a film starring… read more
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Michael Harbour
14Jan12
Most movie love stories show the origin of what we expect will be a great love. This movie shows us the last days of a great love. By turns uplifting and heartbreaking. A movie that feeds your soul. (Plus a bonus story of budding love if you really can't live without that.)
Kirby
3Mar11
Excellent performances from almost every cast member. It's really great what some of the smaller characters manage to do in their little screen time. The story, however, feels like it drags on a bit. I felt two hours may have been too much.
MissJane likes this
Phoenix Rising
13Sep10
The only problem I had with this film was Hollywood's traditional "British accents as the only foreign language". Also, Paul Giamatti wasn't even trying.
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In Theaters: "Up in the Air," "The Last Station," "Brothers"...
By David Hudson on December 3, 2009
Reviews from Telluride and Toronto may have been mixed, but Jason Reitman's Up in the Air got a bit of a boost yesterday when the National
Lists and Awards: Gothams, IDA, Spirits
By David Hudson on November 30, 2009
This year's double-round of list-making - best of the year, best of the decade - is already well underway (see "Let the Wild Listings Start
The Auteurs Daily: Telluride. The Last Station
By David Hudson on September 7, 2009
"A melodramatic account of the tempestuous final year of Leo Tolstoy's life, The Last Station is solid middlebrow biographical
THE LAST STATION BluRay review
By Twitchfilm.com on May 17, 2011
Michael Hoffman’s The Last Station is a great example of the kind of Hollywood production that frustrates for what it could have been. Adapted from Jay Parini’s fictional biography of the last days of
THE LAST STATION BluRay review
By Twitchfilm.net on June 15, 2010
Michael Hoffman’s The Last Station is a great example of the kind of Hollywood production that frustrates for what it could have been. Adapted from Jay Parini’s fictional biography of the last days of
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A Vexing Melodrama
By Dzimas on August 27, 2010
I finally got around to watching The Last Station. Despite my many misgivings, I found myself enjoying this movie largely for the stellar performance by Helen Mirren, which was worthy of a Moscow… read review
Nice attempt, wrong approach
By d on January 23, 2010
Wonderful performances bring a small light to this film, and even from James McAvoy who while being an affable charming fellow struggles to translate that into a commanding acting performance. Paul… read review
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