Talking with a friend after this movie, we realized that there was no person we could think of that influenced Russian culture positively more than Leo Tolstoy. Why then, has there been no previous movie about his life?

Not sure, but at least we have one now. The Last Station is a lush portrait of the final days of Leo Tolstoy, the “Tolstoyans” around him, and those battling for control of his works (his wife and his acolyte, Chertkov). Unlike a lot of the Oscar movies barreling at us right now, this one is rich with context, subtext and meaning. Like many of the same movies, its central thesis is that it all boils down to LOVE in the end.

Tolstoy, bravely played by the wondrous Christopher Plummer, has his match in his fiery and tempestuous wife, warmly portrayed by Helen Mirren. It is a joy just to watch these two together on screen. There is a scene where they flirt with each other prior to lovemaking involving rooster and chicken sounds that in anyone else’s hands would be ludicrous. To their credit, you watch it and swoon for them.

Add to this mix, the clearly defined portrait of Chertkov by Paul Giamatti. Three very strong characters, all fighting for control make this movie well worth watching. As if all this isn’t enough, we have our lead, played with fierce innocence by James McAvoy (you may remember him from The Last King of Scotland).

All of the acting in this movie is top notch. The direction and writing by Michael Hoffman is superb. We are dropped into a world we may not have known about, but which is fascinating. We see what may be the first version of paparazzi, camped outside Tolstoy’s home. We learn that celebrity may not just corrupt and distort the person, but also the very works one is trying to defend.

The title refers to the final train stop where Tolstoy spends his final days. This movie is well worth a stop on your Oscar film train.