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List Price: $9.99 | | Label: Miramax
Salesrank: 12811
Released: August 3, 1999 |
| Our Price: $9.01 |
| Used Price: $7.99 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Meg Ryan (KATE AND LEOPOLD) and Robert Downey Jr. (WONDER BOYS) head a superb cast of stars in this stylish and provocative story of love, power, and seduction! Robert Merivel (Downey) is a young man who seems to have everything ... until a passionate affair leads to scandal, suddenly leaving him heartbroken and penniless. But it's only after losing it all that Merivel discovers who he really is and -- with the love of a beautiful woman (Ryan) -- becomes the man he never dreamed he could be! Also featuring Sam Neill (JURASSIC PARK) and Hugh Grant (NOTTING HILL), this critically acclaimed and entertaining motion picutre won two 1995 Academy Awards(R) for Best Achievement in Art Direction and Costume Design.
Description of Restoration:
A fantastic premise is utterly blown in this film by director Michael Hoffman and screenwriter Rupert Walters (the two collaborated previously on the winning Some Girls). Robert Downey Jr. plays Robert Merivel, King Charles II's (Sam Neill) spirited young physician in 17th-century England. The king offers to set Merivel up for life in exchange for one small favor: marry the royal mistress (Polly Walker) to provide his highness some cover for his philandering. But Merivel blows it by falling in love with the woman, and he is cast out of his pampered paradise to reinvent himself as a serious man helping victims of the plague beyond the palace's walls. It's a superb notion, and the film looks just terrific, particularly Charles's court, where scientific and artistic innovation flourishes. But somehow the story completely falls apart once Merivel goes on his quest for salvation. The scenes aren't there, the characters are underdeveloped, the drama is clunky. The whole enterprise feels as if an editor tried to salvage a major failure and barely came up with something coherent. --Tom Keogh
Restoration Reviews:
Wonderful movie. 
2009-08-13 - This is one of my all time favorite movies. It's an historical drama, and it's set in an era of British history that is somewhat less known that much of the rest. The story is multi-layered and very well told. The movie itself is visually very pleasing. The cast is brilliant, they all seemed to put their hearts into their parts.
In short, I love this movie. My only criticism is that it should be two hours longer.
A gorgeous movie, great Downey 
2009-07-23 - I just discovered this film due to Downey becoming such a popular actor. Adapting a long novel to the screen is never easy, and so while there are some clunky bits and howlers in terms of continuity in this film, it rises above the ordinary costume drama thanks to its humor and humanity.
Downey is a comic genius, with every gesture contributing to his 'lovable fool' Merivel, who becomes an heroic figure due to the role history thrusts upon him. All of the cast support him as he takes center stage in a humble way, the chemistry between him and Neill as the King, and with Thewlis as his best friend John is brilliant.
The Polly Walker sections were very good, the costumes amazing. The Meg Ryan sections were rather contrived, but again, Downey's performance of such sincerity carries it through.
The ending is total Hollywood, but perfect for the film as a whole, and its constant play upon light and dark. So while it is not faithful to the book, it is faithful to its own rendering of it.
The costumes, settings, wonderful locales like Forde Abbey, Brympton D'Evercy, (I read all the credits!) and Blenheim Palace, make this not a perfect movie, but certainly what period movies should be.
Ian McKellan as Will, his loyal servant, and Hugh Grant as the treacherous painter Finn, and the dozen or so Cavalier King Charles spaniels, make this a charming and moving film about one man's redemption and restoration.
Restoration
2008-12-06 - I enjoyed this movie, though it took a while before the film came to have any meaning or direction. At first this movie seems like it will be a raunchy, drunken, orgy film with the main character, Robert Merivel, gaining acceptance into the royal household of King Charles II of England. A physician, he saves the king's dog then becomes a drunken boor at court.
Chalres uses Robert for a dupe then Robert is cast out of court when he defies the king's wish. He ends up doctoring lunatics. It is at this point where the film takes on life. Eventually Robert's companion gives birth to a daughter then dies. Robert takes the daughter to London where the plague is ravaging. Then the fire of London happens. In the end, Robert is restored to some of his former acceptance at the court of the king again.
This film is a decent portrayal of restroation England, though this should not be confused with the film's title. Charles II is a supporting role, not the lead. We see Robert Merivel's rise and fall and restoration. Do not get history from films, the old saying goes. But if you like historical fiction, this film is worth a look.
Interesting Movie
2008-06-11 - Restoration, was an excellent movie, great cast, one I look forward to viewing again & again. Great DVD to add to my historical library collection.
Restoration
2008-04-25 - Won 2 Academy awards, Restoration is Robert Downey at his best!!! Brilliant cast and story. Tragic with a happy ending, please don't miss this.
