British acting legend Helen Mirren plays the ‘very blunt’ Sofya and admits the character was ‘a handful’. She is playing Sofya Andreyevna to Christopher Plummer’s Leo Tolstoy in a new movie that’s, essentially, a love story, about the couple who were married for more than 40 years. It’s already starting to cause a ‘buzz’ in the acting/Hollywood world, with Mirren’s portrayal being highly praised. 

Mirren’s Sofya is very blunt with her husband, but she had to be, to keep the great writer grounded. ‘You all think he’s Christ, don’t you? He thinks he’s Christ!’ Sofya cries, to guests and her husband.

The Daily Mail spoke to Mirren about her character; “She was a tempestuous person anyway, which he probably loved, but that sort of tempestuous nature is very attractive when you’re young  -  and as you get older, it becomes more difficult to deal with.” Mirren as always is spectacular in the role. 

Along with the acting greats – Mirren and Plummer, there is a strong cast including James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti, John Sessions and Anne-Marie Duff (McAvoy’s real love off-screen).

Next year’s Oscar for best female category is going to be chock-a-block with great performances. I wouldn’t want to choose.