Restoration (1995)

The exiled royal physician to King Charles II devotes himself to helping Londoners suffering from the plague, and in the process falls in love with an equally poor woman.

Director:

Michael Hoffman

Writers:

Rose Tremain (novel), Rupert Walters (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Downey Jr., Sam Neill, David Thewlis

Won 2 Oscars. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Merivel
Sam Neill	...	The King
David Thewlis	...	Pearce
Polly Walker	...	Celia
Meg Ryan	...	Katharine
Ian McKellen	...	Will Gates
Hugh Grant	...	Finn
Ian McDiarmid	...	Ambrose
Mary MacLeod	...	Midwife
Mark Letheren	...	Daniel
Sandy McDade	...	Hannah
Rosalind Bennett	...	Eleanor
Willie Ross	...	Man with Visible Heart
David Gant	...	Chiffinch
Benjamin Whitrow	...	Merivel's Father

Storyline

An aspiring young physician, Robert Merivel found himself in the service of King Charles II and saves the life of a spaniel dear to the King. Merivel joins the King's court and lives the high life provided to someone of his position. Merivel is ordered to marry one of the King's mistresses in order to divert the suspicions of another one of his mistresses. He is given one order by the king and that is not to fall in love. The situation worsens when Merivel finds himself in love with his new wife. Eventually, the King finds out and relieves Merivel of his position and wealth. His fall from grace leaves Merivel where he first started. And through his travels and reunites with an old friend, he rediscovers his love for true medicine and what it really means to be a physician.

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Plot Keywords:

17th century | plague | based on novel | king charles ii | historical event | 

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Taglines:

In a world of seduction and power, temptation has its price.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

2 February 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Restoration

Filming Locations:

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$19,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$75,514, 1 January 1996

Gross USA:

$4,005,941

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,005,941

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avenue Pictures, Miramax, Segue Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Composer James Newton Howard's main theme is based on a music from The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell.

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Goofs

When Merivel leaves the Fire of London, he is floating down the River Thames. He is, apparently, discovered 15 miles from Bidnold, which is in Suffolk (unreachable from the Thames)

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Quotes

[first lines]
Opening Title Card: In 1660 Charles II was restored to the English Throne ending 11 years of Oliver Cromwell's bleak Puritan rule. Thus began the age of Restoration. It was an era of scientific discovery, artistic exploration and luxurious sensuality.
Opening Title Card: It was also a time of natural disasters and archaic medical practices. Science was pitted against superstition. This is the story of one man's journey through the light and dark of those times.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Siege/Elizabeth/Gods and Monsters/The Waterboy/The Wizard of Oz (1998)

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Soundtracks

Newcastle
(uncredited)
Traditional
From John Playford's 'The English Dancing Master', First Edition (1651)

User Reviews

Analysis aside, this film moved me.

Fortunately, I do not judge a film merely by its technical excellence. Other reviews seemed to overemphasize the limited script, miscasting, lack of focus, etc, that this movie supposedly represents. All of it may be true, and certainly if the movie did not reach me, I too, would come up with a barrelful of sophisticated reasons why it didn't work.

The problem is, it moved me. It touched my heart in just the right way, and left me once again, with a longing have known everyone who ever lived, suffered and died.

Ah, the human condition!

The first half of the film was slow, and seemed to be searching for itself. But from the time Robert entered into the home for the insane, it became engrossing. I thought the story of the "Lost Valley" was poignant and worth the whole movie. All that came before was necessary background for all that came after.

So...not extraordinary, not outstanding, but quietly satisfying and definitely memorable. A little gem -selected with care- to share with those you love.