Starring: Oscar Winner Helen Mirren (The Queen), Oscar Nominee Christopher Plummer (The Lake House), James McAvoy (Wanted), Oscar Nominee Paul Giamatti (Sideways)
Written & Directed by: Indie Spirit Nominee Michael Hoffman (The Emperor's Club & One Fine Day)
Plot: Based on the novel by Jay Parini. The last year of writer Leo Tolstoy's life.
Review: Lush, beautifully acted period piece focusing on the last year of Tolstoy's life. Tolstoy wrote such classics as War and Peace and Anna Karenina. He was also a Christian philosopher, with many devoted followers, whose works inspired both Ghandi and MLK Jr. In the later years of their life together, some of his followers moved to his estate to help him get his Christian teachings out to the world. These followers/employees and the plans that they had for Tolstoy began to clash with that of his wife. At the core this is a movie about the lifelong love between a husband and wife, and the struggle of an old man to follow his heart instead of listening to his employees. The only fault that this movie had was in its subplot. Hoffman tried to parallel a love story between Tolstoy (Plummer) and his wife (Mirren) with a romance between Tolstoy's assistant (McAvoy) and a fictitious house worker. It took the focus away from the real plot by providing a fictitious and insulting romance with a very unlikeable female. The real-life assistant was a devoted Tolstoyan who remained celibate his entire life who would never betray his idol/employer by breaking the specific no sex rule in Tolstoy's house. Uggh. Thankfully that part was relatively brief. I also have to mention the amazing acting by Giamatti in a role I've never seen him in. This film is a biopic, romance, tragedy, and comedy all at the same time and does so almost flawlessly. I highly recommend this film.
| Academy Awards, USA | |||
| Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Nominated | Oscar | Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Christopher Plummer |
| Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Helen Mirren | |||
| Independent Spirit Awards | |||
| Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
| 2010 | Nominated | Independent Spirit Award | Best Director Michael Hoffman |
| Best Feature Chris Curling Jens Meurer Bonnie Arnold | |||
| Best Female Lead Helen Mirren | |||
| Best Screenplay Michael Hoffman | |||
| Best Supporting Male Christopher Plummer | |||
Rating:
Writing-B
Acting-A
Directing-A
Music-A
Cinematography-A
Editing-A
Costumes-A- I love the countess's hats.
Art Direction-A
Hair-A
Makeup-A
*** Stars
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