After earning raves at Telluride, Michael Hoffman’s “The Last Station” nearly fell down a black hole as the producers waited for someone, anyone to pick up the film for distribution. Back in September, Jeffrey Wells had noted that a source told him that cost for the rights were being perceived by distributors as being way out of line. Well, whatever it ended up costing, Sony Pictures Classics has footed the bill and will be giving the film a limited release starting on December 4th.
According to those who have seen it, the film which tells the story of Leo Tolstoy’s struggle to balance his wealth and fame with his desire to live a life of devoid of material things — as told through the eyes of his personal secretary — is a shoo-in for at least two Oscar nods. Christopher Plummer, who has (surprisingly) never won or been nominated shines in his role as Tolstoy, while Academy favorite, Helen Mirren, matches him as his wife.
Wells’ also noted that film has a pretty straightforward trajectory, and the trailer pretty much confirms it, so most assume it has little shot at a Best Picture nod. That said, it does look very good (though we could’ve done without the repeated sneezing gag), and the cast behind it which also includes James McAvoy and Paul Giamatti, looks solid.
