Review of The Last Station (2009) by Eve R — 28 Mar 2010
Paul Giamatti's heavy-handed portrayal of Chertkov ruins this film. Turning Chertkov into Snidely Whiplash (right down to twisting his mustache), he leaves us wondering how Chertkov could ever have inspired the loyalty shown by Bulgakov, Sasha (Tolstoy's daughter), and most important -- Tolstoy himself.
Plummer and Mirren manage somewhat nuanced performances that illustrate the complexity of their characters' personalities and the love they share. McAvoy is convincing as the young Bulgakov, struggling with conflicting views of love, lust, and his role in the drama he finds himself witnessing, but also participating in. The romance with Masha plays well. But Giamatti's Chertkov is so flat that one of the central conflicts is destroyed.
This review of The Last Station (2009) was written by Eve R on 28 Mar 2010.
The Last Station has generally received positive reviews.
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