Plot Valentin (McAvoy) is thrilled to become secretary to the world’s greatest living author, Count Leo Tolstoy (Plummer), only to be caught up in the turbulent complexities of Tolstoy’s life and marriage to Sofya (Mirren). While Valentin discovers life and love, Tolstoy has had about enough of both.Verdict Handsome, engrossing, frequently very funny for a literary bio drama, and ultimately deeply moving, with pitch-perfect performances from one and all.