some thoughts on 'the last station'

The last station is a film about Tolstoy's life's last year before he dies. The film traces the difficult relationship of Tolstoy with his wife. Being a woman I feel that it hard to explain what a wife goes through on occasions like this. She was the one who was strong support structure during the most crucial years of his life. She helped him with his writing pursuits.

Her entire youth and a lifetime indeed was dedicated to her husband. We all know that Tolstoy is a world renowned Russian writer who has influenced many. I believe the film was difficult project to accomplish but failed to present the the plight of his wife.

Both Tolstoy and Gandhi have been hailed as Prophet and Mahatma respectively for the their adherence to a simple life. A closer look at their lives will enable us to see a difficult dilemma they faced with their loved ones. Tolstoy with his wife and Gandhi with his son. These public figures pulled the masses and changed life of many people but they failed to light up the the life of the people most close to them.

A sort of similar film entitled "Gandhi, My father", made by an Indian filmmaker also dealt with the strenuous relationship Gandhi shared with his son. In this film also the director tried to give a very balanced picture without being biased to any one side in particular.

Being a film director demands to reveal a story as objectively as possible which is present in both films, "the last station" as well as" Gandhi, my father". But as a viewer my heart goes out for Tolstoy's wife and I feel that the film could have done a little more justice to her character.