The Last Station (2009) starring Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti, Kerry Condon. Set in 1910, during the last year of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy's (Plummer) life, this movie explores the fractious relationship between Tolstoy and his wife (Mirren). Tolstoy in his latter years wanted to make a gift of his writing (and the copyright) to "the people," and his wife resisted stoutly, believing that he was giving away his children's inheritance. Into this maelstrom comes his new assistant Valentin (McAvoy), who can't quite figure out what to make of it all. The film at times ascends to melodrama, and it's not above going for a laugh. The subject matter is, of course, quite serious. The subtitles are absolutely top-notch. Grade: A-
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