The Last Station

In the last year (1910) of the long life of internationally celebrated writer and philosopher Count Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer), turbulance mounts as the Count's devoted and idealistic disciples (led by Vladimir Chertkov as portrayed by Paul Giamatti) maneuver against his more practical and family-oriented wife (Helen Mirren). The main setting is the Count's country estate of Yasnaya Polyana. The Count and Countess have a long-standing and loving marriage, but his idealistic and spiritual side (he is opposed on principle, for example, to private property) is at odds with her more down-to-earth and conventionally religious views. Contention focuses on a new will that the "Tolstoians" have persuaded the Count to authorize. It will negate all of his copyrights and put his writings into the public domain, potentially leaving his family without adequate support after his death. The maneuvering is seen through the eyes of a brand new secretary to the great man (James McAvoy) who finds himself having to mediate between the two sides. (He takes time out for an intense love affair with one of the Count's less content followers Kerry Condon). In the end, the Count reluctantly signs the new will and leaves his wife and their home to travel to an undisclosed location where he can continue his work undisturbed. She attempts suicide unsuccessfully. During the journey, however, he sickens. The film ends with his death near the Astapovo train station where the Countess is allowed (barely) by his handlers to see him for one last time.