The Last Station

Set in and around Tolstoy's last days. It is as much about the drama within his inner circle as the author himself.

Christopher Plummer plays Tolstoy and Helen Mirren his wife, the Countess. Paul Giamatti is Chertoff and James McAvoy the young aid who finds himself stuck in the battles between them. The story is as much about the struggles in the mind and heart of young Valentin Bulgakov, Tolstoy's last Secretary, as anything. His struggles represent those of mankind.

Tolstoy is arguably the most celebrated writer in the planet's history. Some see him as a messiah, some a saint. Others see him as a prophet and others as a mad social genius. Regardless of your perceptions, this touching story, ending at the last train station he visited, will at least educate and perhaps inspire.

Watch this movie with someone who knows little or nothing about Tolstoy and see if they strive to learn more after the movie.