This movie was made with care. I think my problem with it was the conflicted politic of directorial intention. I don't really like Tolstoy's writings, and yet I found his wife's character unbelievable; attempts to moralize the ending went too far. The issue of copyright was, however, extremely interesting.

5/10
violbiol@ - 116 reviews
30.4.2010 - age: 26-35

Wonderful movie, great photography, great acting.

9/10
a.bertsch@ - first review
17.4.2010 - age: 50+

Charming, soft and great characters. Impeccable photography and ambience.

8/10
marianavelasquez@ - 2 reviews
1.4.2010 - age: 36-49

I thought Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren were great, for sure, but I thought it was a bit slow at times. It could have shown more of Tolstoy's life and accomplishments, for example. Sorry, I could not give it higher than a 7.

7/10
peacelily3@ - 14 reviews
29.3.2010 - age: 50+

Mirren, Plummer and McAvoy performed just I expected, fabulously! What a thoroughly pleasant way to view history at the cinema! The costumes and the scenary and the script combined to produce an absolutely top-notch movie. The more culturally sophisticated you are, the more you will love this film. If car-chase scenes, explosions, slang contemporary sayings and texting during the film are essentials to you, probably you should save your money and your time by selecting something else to see as you will find this film to be "boring". To enjoy this film, you have to have lived a little, be educated or want to be educated, have a long attention span and be willing and able to sit silently for the duration of the film.

9/10
hajwhitney@ - 54 reviews
8.3.2010 - age: 50+

[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
If one does not know who was Tolstoy, I do not think the movie would interest him. I adored the film. I have read War and Peace as well as Anna Karenina. The paysage are absolutely beautiful. The acting by Christopher Plummer (who. I dont know why is in the cathegory of best supporting actor) is fantastic and I think that he should have been for best actor. Helen Miron should get the awad as well. To me best supporting actor should be James McCavoy and his real wife Anne Marie Duff who played his first love was also very good. You understand how Sophie adorse her husband, but also cannot accept the drastic change in him, and of course as a wife she wants to save the estate for the family. In real life Sophie helped him rewriting a lot of his books, she wa like a secretary and was very important in his success They had 5 children, also 3 other died. She actually managed the estate. It will not be unfortunately a very popular movie in North America. I am glad that I saw it just before the oscars.

9/10
wrabet2007@ - 2 reviews
6.3.2010 - age: 50+

This movie didn't rise to its potential. The actors provided convincing performances - particularly Mirren & Plummer. However little context was provided to give an uninitiated viewer background as to why Tolstoy was such an important figure and how the circumstances of his final period happened. Consequently it was difficult to engage with the character portrayals on anything but a superficial level. Had one not known something of Tolstoy's life and works this script would not have provided much enlightenment. This movie had an excellent opportunity to educate and illuminate. It did neither and hardly even made the grade as entertainment. Quite disappointing, given the richness of the potential themes. A free copy of War and Peace with every ticket would explain things about Tolstoy that this movie didn't attempt to approach.

6/10
jackovipe@ - 26 reviews
3.3.2010 - age: 50+

I'm not sure I can add much to the rave reviews already here. Mirren, Plummer, Giamatti and Evoy all give excellent performances. The relationship dynamics between Tolstoy and his wife Sofya are intense, and Sofya's behaviour painful to watch as she tries desperately to hold onto the wealth she has helped to accumulate, which Leo wants to give away with the help of Chertkov. The political scheming by imperfect human beings, each of whom is idealistic in their own way, is sad, infuriating, tragic and inevitable. The film shows the situation through many eyes. I found it impossible to entirely judge any of them. Somehow reminiscent of Taylor/Burton in Virginia Woolf, or perhaps Hepburn/O'Toole from Lion in Winter. A must-see if you enjoy multi-layered interpersonal and situational dynamics played out on screen.

9/10
scorpio_mystique@ - 53 reviews
2.3.2010 - age: 50+

This film is short of a 10, that is, a masterpiece. Mirren and Plummer (not Plumber as one reviewer wrote!) are magnificent. Perfect casting and superb performances. The undercurrents below the love story, would soon find a home during the Russian Revolution, albeit greatly modified after the first World War. What one reviewer called boring I found welcome historical accuracy. I had a full sense of the landscape, the flawed and intense relationships, the political manouvering, idealism pushing forward, and the church being pushed away. These are some of the elements that would mould Russia. Boring only to those who know nothing of history, and don't read much. I must admit there were a few times when I wished for more stirring music - like the score in Doctor Zhivago, but in realty the music was kept well down under the dialogue, often a hard thing to accomplish. The caliber of this film is rarely seen these days. I won't make any comparisons to recent offerings. The Last Station is well worth the time, even though the cinematic tension, never manages to rise high enough.

9/10
davidjm@ - 4 reviews
28.2.2010 - age: 50+

I found it a little boring, all those quarrels betwen Tolstoi and his wife about the inheritance. It seems this is the only plot.

5/10
depicaud@ - first review
17.2.2010 - age: 36-49

As a Russian viewer I am really impressed by this international production picture. The scenery, the colours, the nature, the time, the people, the country, Tolstoy's family estate Yasnaya Polyana (I've been there) – in my opinion, the authors reproduced as accurately as possible it seems like almost everything. All the acting was brilliant. Helen Mirren - her performance of the writer’s wife Sophia was my favourite …very natural and moving. Kerry Condon’s character Masha: was played realistically and intensely: beside Slavic appearance rendered quite truly some traits typical of Russian women. James McAvoy's performance pleased as well: he fit very naturally, although at times, it seemed to me, his portrayal had some Western style or background. As for Christopher Plummer's portrait of Lev Tolstoy – no words, it has got to be seen... Finally, the script and the plot; a truly love story…

9/10
undrej@ - 7 reviews
17.2.2010 - age: 26-35

A film that depends on acting rather than action--how can it not rate a "10". I loved it. Loved Dame Mirren especially. She never fails to please me. The rest of the cast was great too. I am very fond of James MacAvoy, he has a promising career ahead of him. Wish I could contribute something more scholarly, just a darn good film.

10/10
rozzw@ - 76 reviews
15.2.2010 - age: 50+

I disagree, it is not boring and not geared toward an older crowd. There isn't a wasted moment in the whole film. The chemistry between the actors is flawless as well as the acting itself. I would give academy awards to Plummer and Mirren immediately. Their scenes together are worth the price of admission alone.

10/10
hamonphilip@ - 5 reviews
13.2.2010 - age: 36-49

Excellent movie. Superb acting by all. It was also an informative look at Tolstoy and the Tolstoyan movement and some of the familial conflicts that resulted. James McAvoy was wonderful as always. Well worth a view.

9/10
comi2@ - 96 reviews
12.2.2010 - age: 50+

Geared to the older crowd--excellent acting --especially Helen Mirrem who never loses her touch!

7/10
vin.2000@ - 119 reviews
11.2.2010

This movie is amazing. It is beautifully acted, and is incredibly well acted by Plummer, McAvoy and Mirren. It tells an incredible love story while exposing the simplicity and sometimes horrible complexity of love. Just a great movie.

10/10
glegh@ - 43 reviews
7.2.2010 - age: 50+

This movie is amazing. It is beautifully acted, and is incredibly well acted by Plummer, McAvoy and Mirren. It tells an incredible love story while exposing the simplicity and sometimes horrible complexity of love. Just a great movie.

10/10
barry.legh@ - 3 reviews
7.2.2010 - age: 50+

You can't get any finer acting than that of Helen Mirren & Christopher Plumber. Their chemistry together fits like a glove. A great melodramatic love storey played out by two very gifted actors... James Macavoy's sappy sweet good guy role get's tiresome after awhile... Especially the putzy facial expressions. But don't let that deter you from seeing a truly wonderful film with two of the greatest actors of our time. Both deserve a nod from Oscar.,

9/10
arlynamelia@ - 6 reviews
31.1.2010

I thought the actors all gave excellent performances, it provided a great history lesson and it was at times funny and poignant.

7/10
monart2@ - first review
29.1.2010 - age: 36-49

Very boring! Very boring! Very boring!

4/10
joel.andrew.bouchard@ - 40 reviews
29.1.2010 - age: 36-49 - 3 replies

A moving exposition on the nature of love. Helen Mirren portrays the Countess with fierce intensity, tragicomic melodrama, and achingly sweet tenederness. Beautiful chemistry between her and Christopher Plummer.

7/10
jldcld1@ - first review
28.1.2010 - age: 36-49

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