THE LAST STATION
I was recently informed that the some partisans who are challenging health care reform were seen trotting around with copies of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Piece, as an example of Congressional excess: apparently the draft bill is even longer than the epic masterpiece. One wonders if any of these individuals have actually read it, or are aware of the author’s “socialist” or what they might see as socialist/communist/totalitarian politics were. Perhaps they’ll see Michael Hoffman’s beautiful film and rethink their misuse of great literature. But probably not.
In any case, The Last Station, is a glimpse into a later period of the great Russian novelist’s life. Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer,) although born an aristocrat, became quite uncomfortable with the social inequities of Russian society. He was so committed that in later life his theories and writings gave rise to a social movement. When the film opens we observe that he has devoted much of his own private property to supporting a self-sustaining communal village that provides housing, education, and food raised on site. But this commitment was also the source of endless conflict between Tolstoy and his wife of almost 50 years, Sofya (Helen Mirren), who did not in the least share Tolstoy’s devotion to sacrifice. And this is the conflict around which the film considers love, passion and politics.
We are invited into this world via Valentin Bulgakov (James McAvoy), a dewy-eyed idealist, a true Tolstoyan who disavow physical in favor of spiritual love. Valentin has been fortunate enough to land a coveted position as Tolstoy’s secretary but upon his arrival he is immediately thrust into the middle of the conflict between Tolstoy’s number one disciple, Vladimir Chertkov and Sofya. Each wants to control Tolstoy’s literary legacy upon his death: Chertkov wants it for the people, Sofya for her family. Valentin’s idealism begins to unravel as he witnesses Tolstoy’s struggle and sometime failure to live according to his manifesto. He is still sits at a dinner with his wife, attended to by servants, for example, and is unable to resist her sexually. On that matter Valentin follows his master, when he falls in love with a very forthright, self-possessed and bohemian teacher, Masha (Kerry Condon.)
Helen Mirren as Sofya, as usual, steals the show here, although her performance is more drama queen than Queen. It’s a complex and complicated feat: making her aims seem reasonable in the face of this great man’s wish to bequeath his life’s work to disenfranchised. Plummer’s Tolstoy, bearded in his simple clothes, attempting to renounce private property, appears almost saintly next to Mirren’s desperate madness and Giamatti’s mustache twirling, yet sincere, quasi-villain.
Ultimately though it seems to be a love story...and for me a love story dedicated to one of the greatest writers who ever lived. Anna Karenina, one of my all time favorites, is as much about doomed love as it was about the social and cultural politics of the times. The Last Station, based on the best-selling novel by Jay Parini, leans a little more heavily on love but enough of a sense of the great man remains, that I was truly moved by the end.
The Last Station opens in limited release December 4, 2009, wide on January 15, 2010.
Written and directed by Michael Hoffman, based on the novel by Jay Parini; produced by Chris Curling, Jens Meurer and Bonnie Arnold; Director of Photography, Sebastian Edschmid; edited by Particia Rommel, music by Sergey Yevtushenko.
With: Helen Mirren (Sofya Tolstoy); Christopher Plummer (Leo Tolstoy); James McAvoy (Valentin Bulgakov); Paul Giamatti (Vladimir Chertkov); Anne-Marie Duff (Sasha Tolstoy); Kerry Condon (Masha); John Sessions (Dushan) and Patrick Kennedy (Sergeyenko.)
