Young Valentine (James McAvoy James McAvoy) is hired as secretary and assistant to the great writer Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer Christopher Plummer), witnessing the deep love-hate relationship between the writer and his wife Sophia (Helen Mirren Helen Mirren) in his later years. Tolstoy was dissatisfied with Sophia's extravagant habits, while Sophia disliked the cooperation between Tolstoy and "radical" disciple Vladimir Chekov (Paul Giamatti Paul Giamatti). Around Tolstoy, the two forces always competed, and Valentine was also involved, keeping diaries for Sophia and Chekov respectively, recording Towon's life in his later years. At the same time, he also has a relationship with Toon admirer Martha (Kerry Conton Kerry Condon). The tired Tolstoy finally chose to run away from home and stay at the last station, while the struggle between Sophia and Chekov did not stop until the last minute.