'The Last Station' Review

James McAvoy with Christopher Plummer. Watch the Preview: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-last-station/1392634/main?icid=movsmartsearch

One should never rely on reading only one review to decide if you plan on seeing a movie. This is also true for a book, CD, TV show, etc. It's better to seek out several opinions but as I always say, go see what interests YOU and not others. It's what YOU think that really counts. You can still learn a lot from a good AND a bad review. Here's a bad review of The Last Station from The NY Times. Scroll down the review to read the reactions of viewers who didn't agree with the critic: http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/movies/04station.html

>>After reading this review, I was expecting to see a scenery-chewing contest. Since seeing the movie I can understand what the critic was implying. I almost expected to see no scenery left at the conclusion. It's a good period piece with performances overwrought at times but they work when you are dealing with characters based on real people who were larger than life and prone to explosive emotions. Maybe everyone here involved thought they were making 'Great Art' and let restraint fly out the window. During the closing credits you can see footage of the real characters.

>>However you feel about this movie, I guarantee you won't be bored. Production values evoke pre-revolutionary Russia and the actors from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean look comfortable in their roles and costumes although Mrs CV picked up on James McAvoy's Scottish accent. Helen Mirren, the only lead with Russian ancestry, continues to show us why she's a great actress. Her 'mad' scenes' are attention grabbers. Christopher Plummer, who I saw years ago twice on stage, continues to show us why he's a great actor as Count Tolstoi. who becomes the target of his wife's rages. She's concerned he's giving away their financial security to a peacenik movement and believes everyone around her is against her. Her paranoia (perhaps with good reason) drives her husband away on his final journey. These two have been nominated for Oscars. Since Mirren already has one, and Plummer is long overdue, I'm betting he'll win.
>>Those interested in the Count's last days should check out this site: http://linguadex.com/tolstoy/