The Last Station 2/12/10

The Last Station was an intimate view of the later life of Leo Tolstoy and love. As it so happens along with being a writer Leo Tolstoy was also a social reformer. The Tolstoyan movement was created in order to devotely follow his works. These people did truly think the writer as Christ. In his white robes and unkept beard the man appeared saint-like. The truth being the saint stigma was something he didnt like himself. People were even crying when he would speak to them directly. Thus showing how people especially Tolstoyan's misinterpret the message Tolstoy was trying to portray. While he didnt officially approve of sexual relations he would fill James McAvoy's (his private secratary) ears with stories of past physical lovers. It would appear that the extremes portrayed by Checkoff (Paul Giamatti) a devote Tolstoyan were un-characteristic of Leo Tolstoy himself. The movie boasts the ultimate message of love and blindly following ideas that go against the social norm.
Helen Mirren who played the countess wife of Leo Tolstoy, was brilliant. She embodied the woman who becomes increasingly lonely in later life and wishes only to be unconditionally loved. Something that Tolstoy can not give her. Which seems to be the reason she surrounds herself with material things, another thing (private property) that Tolstoy speaks out against. We see this become the main conflict, he wishes to re-create a will (perhaps excluding the countess) and to give away their fortunes. This is how Tolstoy goes through the final days of his life, fighting with the countess over matters of their money and failed marriage. Though not actually failed, as he always proclaims his love for her admist her ranting screaming fits. Love knows no bounds, not even when your wife smashes dinner plates or shoots a picture of a close friend. This is truly remarkable because The Countess did not make it easy to be loved, as she smashed through a window upon discovering a supposed plot against her.
All the while Valentin played by James McAvoy, begins to doubt the extremity behind Tolstoy's words. With a secret love Marsha (Kerry Condon) the celibacy issue goes out the window. Plus we see behind the beautiful blue eyes that he feels a sympathy no other Tolstoyan does for the Countess. Overall he is a man persuaded into a world of hypocracy and god-like ideals. Though he loves Tolstoy to the end, his teachings dont bear much weight with the young boy. Unlike the people who scribble down every word he says and Checkoff who is willing to do whatever it takes to separate Tolstoy from the countess. At the last station after Tolstoy has run to this location he is dying. The earliest forms of paparazzi sleep in tents outside a small bedroom at the station with cameras that require winding to work. A legend is dying, just as Micheal Jackson died last year Leo Tolstoy was a big celebrity to the people. As he finally gets to see Sofya the countess he dies in peace at the last station of his life. A crowd of people cry outside cry in immense sorrow for the writer who spoke to them. Love can withstand many mental breakdowns. Blindly following the words of a writer is different from understanding and respecting. Live for oneself and follow the words of the heart.