Plot
A historical drama that illustrates Russian author Leo Tolstoy's struggle to balance fame and wealth with his commitment to a life devoid of material things.
Release Year: 2009
Rating: 7.0/10 (7,935 voted)
Critic's Score: 76/100
Director:
Michael Hoffman
Stars: Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Christopher Plummer
Storyline The Countess Sofya, wife and muse to Leo Tolstoy, uses every trick of seduction on her husband's loyal disciple, whom she believes was the person responsible for Tolstoy signing a new will that leaves his work and property to the Russian people.
Writers: Michael Hoffman, Jay Parini
Cast: Helen Mirren
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Sofya
Christopher Plummer
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Tolstoy
Paul Giamatti
-
Chertkov
James McAvoy
-
Valentin
John Sessions
-
Dushan
Patrick Kennedy
-
Sergeyenko
Kerry Condon
-
Masha
Anne-Marie Duff
-
Sasha
Tomas Spencer
-
Andrey
Christian Gaul
-
Ivan
Wolfgang Häntsch
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Priest
David Masterson
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Reporter
Anastasia Tolstoy
-
Mourning Girl
Opening Weekend: $94,093
(USA)
(17 January 2010)
(3 Screens)
Gross: $6,616,974
(USA)
(20 June 2010)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
Composer Sergei Yevtushenko wrote the entire score after reading the script and before filming had started. Michael Hoffman rejected it on principle but after several months, several composers and other attempts to score the film, he realized that Yevtushenko's score was perfect for the film.
Goofs:
Continuity:
After Tolstoy signs the letter, Bulgakov is seen with the buttons on the right side of his collar instead of the left. It appears the film has been flipped.
Quotes: Leo Tolstoy:
Despite good cause for it, I have never stopped loving you. Sofya Tolstaya:
Of course. Leo Tolstoy:
But God knows you don't make it easy! Sofya Tolstaya:
Why should it be easy? I am the work of your life, you are the work of mine. That's what love is!
User Review
Wonderful film, this will go far
Rating: 10/10
I just saw this at the Telluride Film Festival. It was just fantastic.
The story and characters are very well drawn and engaging. Tolstoy is
wonderfully presented as a man who is aware he cannot live up to his
own ideals. It shows how his image and words are corrupted into the
ideals and beliefs of others who have lost their way. The acting,
cinematography, costumes, all was superb. It is a film about love. The
portray and comparisons of old love and new love. Love of a man and
love of an ideology. Well done to all who worked on it. I hope this
does not get misunderstood as a dry drama, as it is a very funny and
moving film. I cannot wait to see it again.
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