The understanding of Tolstoy’s life in his later years is limited to Zweig’s portrayal in "When the Stars Are Shining", and the most impressive thing is of course the countess’s selfishness. And this movie is simply to reverse the case for Sophia. It shows the reaction that any normal woman should have when her husband wants to give money to others. It also shows the reason why later generations generally don't want to see Sophia. In her home, sitcoms are staged almost all the time. There are photographers outside the house waiting day and night to take pictures of everything they want to take; the family doctor records Sophia’s fierce words at any time and arbitrarily misrepresents her meaning; the secretary is also ordered to be there. Write down Sophia's words in the diary for later use. What's interesting is that Sophia ignores all this and still acts recklessly. Compared with Sofia's reality, Toon's performance is not enough, so the audience can't understand the intense contradiction in his heart. On the contrary, he seems to be reminding those around him that he is not a true Tolstoy, someone wants to portray him as an idol, and he is just an ordinary person. When he was young, like other aristocratic youths, there was no shortage of eating, drinking, whoring and gambling; he emphasized love and did not advocate abstinence. Inspired by him, his secretary also had a wonderful love.
At least in this film, linked to the reality of the subsequent Russian Revolution and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the equal society that Toon longed for has not been realized, and it seems that it will not be realized. The film’s preference and inclination towards Sophia also seems to taunt Toon’s idealism secretly. Towon’s performance in this film is not enough. Even if the ideal he insisted on has not been realized, his dedication to this end is worthy of admiration, rather than being judged utilitarianly, using success or failure to judge heroes.
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