In the film, the legendary author and leader is portrayed through a very small frame, that of his final year. The story centers around the dispute between his wife and his followers over the copyrights of his life works as his health deteriorates.
Facts vs. Film Story in a Historical Biopic
Tolstoy led a rich and varied life. He was born in 1828 and died in 1910. His parents died when he was young and he was raised by relatives. He left university midway through his studies, after being branded “unwilling and unable to be taught.” So instead, he went on a gambling spree, and then joined the army. Over time, his mindset shifted from the nobility of his background towards the anarchist he would become. He started schools for the poor, married and had affairs, had many children, some of whom died during childhood. And of course, he wrote some of the greatest novels ever written, such as War and Peace, and Anna Karenina.
But none of these events are portrayed or even referred to in the film The Last Station. Instead, the film tells the story of the very last year of Tolstoy’s life, when he attempts to make a strong statement against personal property through the renunciation of the copyrights to his works. This will result in the loss of an inheritance for his wife and children. The battle between his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren) and Tolstoy’s followers is the central conflict of the story. In the middle of it all is Tolstoy’s new secretary, played by James McAvoy, who is torn between loyalties for his leader Tolstoy and the man’s beloved wife, Sonya. In a well-drawn subplot, his own passionate affair develops with a renegade Tolstoyan, played by Kerry Condon. Through this storyline, the film’s theme, that love is the most important philosophy of all, is manifested beautifully.
Thematic Development in The Last Station
The film is propelled by this strong, well developed theme: the idea that love is the most important principle of all. The theme is directly stated in the beginning film, with Tolstoy’s own words in titles reading, “All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.” In the film, the focus is clearly on love. Each scene develops and complicates the love stories of Tolstoy and Sofya, Valentin and Masha.
In the end, love wins out, but only by a hair. Tolstoy has tried to escape his wife and has come to “the last station,” a remote train outpost, to die outside the reaches of his more conservative, practical wife.
This film demonstrates that a whole life cannot be told on the big screen in a compelling fashion. It is always best to narrow the story focus down to a smaller phase or period, and to narrow the thematic focus down to one controlling idea.
Mirren and Plummer were both nominated for Oscars, Golden Globe Awards and Screen Actors Guild awards for this film. The film generated $6.2 million at the box office.
Running time: 1:52
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