Oct 11

Oct 11 The Last Station (2009)

This adaptation of Jay Parini’s novel provides a dramatization of Russian writer Leo Tolstoy and the movement he birthed. It netted Oscar nominations for lead Helen Mirren and supporting player Christopher Plummer; James McAvoy and Paul Giamatti round out the cast nicely, with all helmed by Michael Hoffman. Near the end of his life, Tolstoy struggles to moderate his fame and wealth in light of a personal philosophy eschewing materialism, which also leaves him in opposition to the wishes of his wife. While interesting and decently paced for an intellectual piece, the film unfortunately lacks an emotional punch.

⅝ (out of ***)

2009 • 1 HOUR, 52 MINUTES
EGOLI TOSSELL PICTURES • ZEPHYR FILMS • EGOLI TOSSELL FILM HALLE • PRODUCTION CENTER OF ANDREI KONCHALOVSKY • SAMFILM PRODUKTION

STARRING
• HELEN MIRREN, JAMES MCAVOY

ALSO STARRING
• CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER, PAUL GIAMATTI, ANNE-MARIE DUFF, KERRY CONDON

WRITTEN BY
• MICHAEL HOFFMAN (SCREENPLAY BY)
• JAY PARINI (BASED ON THE NOVEL BY)

DIRECTED BY
• MICHAEL HOFFMAN

ADDITIONAL 2009 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (2)
• BEST ACTRESS: HELEN MIRREN (LOST TO SANDRA BULLOCK FOR THE BLIND SIDE)
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER (LOST TO CHRISTOPH WALTZ FOR INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS)