The Last Station

I have watched movies and read books all my life. The movie watching was extensive and expensive, until a few years back, when a Block buster Employee (yes now of the defunct Canadian chain) Yoda'd me on having picked up 365 movies in a Leap Year. No it wasn’t that bad. It was a regular 365 days of sun, rain, snow and even more snow, year.

I have since self-rehabilitated myself. After being subjected to a plethora of stupor inducing movies and repetitive plot lined novels I subjected myself to a controlled movie and book diet.  Unfortunately I tend to fall out of and indulge in an excess of reading and watching movies- rather shamelessly I must add. 

I would classify myself as couch/bed/in short any fluffy surface Movie Watch fanatic and a bath/walk and read book lover. I would like to add rather proudly that this walk and read book reading has been deemed an extreme sport by my lesser pot-hole fearing colleagues. Given the frequency of both conditions I would think that I could pass limited judgement if I were to be ordained as the last false critic for a time.

The Last Station is a wonderful Movie. It is directed by Michael Hoffman and stars the glorious Helen Mirren (Sofya Tolstoy) and Christopher Plummer (Leo Tolstoy). Christopher Plummer has toned the character down considerably to reflect the conflicting ethos of a world transformed into a subtle chaos for the renowned author. Helen Mirren does bring over the edge acting to the forefront but I think this was more to suit the character, given her otherwise restrained performances in her past body of work. Paul Giamatti excels as Leo Tolstoy's close friend Vladmir Chertkov. He remains even in the presence of a Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer (a thespian double whammy), a very solid and controlled actor. James Mcvoy I believe overdid his performance in the initial scenes where he first meets Leo Tolstoy, but then mellows and blends into the character perfectly.

The plot is in a long line the chaotic love, that ensues between the two main characters and the justification of each characters fulfilment of their own personal life choice. His-being to give everything away and hers-to maintain a continued lifestyle for herself and her children.

I loved the movie, and in turn acquired a new found interest in Tolstoy. I actually did research him (the truth wikipedia'd him) and found that in spite of his popularity and larger than life persona all he wanted was peace and the ability to do good to and for the common man. I would watch the movie if you would like a brief outline of the man and this in turn might set a preface for you to read "War and Peace"and "Anna Karenina". I could not get through W&P but will try again, soon enough .

I do not confess to be either a good or even a refined reader. I am just someone who has read a lot. For those of you who have read the Tolstoy books I would request that you grant me forgiveness.

If you do read this and watch the movie do let me know.