All aboard

Fact and fiction converge in this historical drama based on Jay Parini's novel about Russian author Leo Tolstoy. The Last Station focuses on the marriage between Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) and his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren) in its final years. Weaved into the story is Valentin Bulgakov (James McAvoy), a young man who works for the couple, and Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti) an advisor to the writer who fights his wife over financial issues.

The film opens with the quote from Tolstoy "everything I know I know only because I love.'' And that is what the film is about: love. It looks at the complicated love between Tolstoy and Sofya (above), Tolstoy's love for the people, the love within a family and the new love between Bulgakov and the outspoken Masha (Kerry Condon). But for a film about one of the most universal human emotions, it isn't mushy. A genuine sweetness and sincerity underlines it, driven by the Oscar-nominated performances from Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer.

Just as deserving is the always impressive James McAvoy as the bumbling, virtuous and compassionate Bulgakov whose life becomes affected by the significant moments of the people surrounding him, including his idol Tolstoy. He is supported by another consistently brilliant performance from Anne-Marie Duff (his real-life wife and baby mama), after her powerful turn as John Lennon's mother in Nowhere Boy.

The beautiful scenery and intricately designed sets compliment the lush story, which provides a fascinating insight in the complex mind of the legendary author.The only criticism is that it feels like a film in two parts; with a lively, passionate first half and a slower second half that drags towards the end. Written and directed by Michael Hoffman (A Midsummer Night's Dream, One Fine Day) this is his finest film to date.

The Last Station opens this Thursday, April 1.