X
- 1996
- R
- Miramax
- 1 h 57 m
- 1996
- R
- Miramax
- 1 h 57 m
Summary 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.
Directed By: Michael Hoffman
Written By: Rose Tremain, Rupert Walters
- 1996
- R
- Miramax
- 1 h 57 m
- 1996
- R
- Miramax
- 1 h 57 m
Restoration
66
User Score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
Where to Watch
Summary 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.
Directed By: Michael Hoffman
Written By: Rose Tremain, Rupert Walters
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
66
75% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
25% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
66
75% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
25% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The film has many virtues, but for me the most enchanting is simply the lust with which it depicts a bold and colorful era in history.
For all its shortcomings, Restoration is miles beyond most historical epics. [26 Jan 1996, p.51]
Blinking his puppy-moist eyes and grappling with an English accent, Downey struggles so manfully in the role that one cuts him a lot of slack; working earnestly on her Irish brogue and mussing up her cupcake demeanor in the service of verisimilitude as a wise madwoman, Meg Ryan’s performance is, refreshingly, less precious than she’s been in a long while.
Restoration is a middling thing, indifferent good, albeit much enlivened by Robert Downey Jr., who did act Merivel with
the full vigour of his profession. [31 Jan 1996]
Restoration, as I say, has its flaws. The lessons it wants to teach us may be too obvious. And the production's appealing lack of solemnity has the downside of seeming, at times, like superficiality. [26 Jan 1996, p.18]
Hoffman's eye for detail isn't matched by his jolting way with a narrative, which an extra year's preparation and editing from its original planned release didn't help. One comes away with the suspicion that Restoration should have been a longer movie, and feeling somewhat relieved that it isn't. [02 Feb 1996, p.5]
Downey seems subdued in the film's central role, as if he's out of his league when it comes to dramatically stretching as an actor. Even when all decked out in foppish finery, looking absolutely ridiculous to the objective eye, he can't find a way to focus your attention on him. Instead, in looking at him, all you can do is wonder: How much did those duds cost?
User Reviews
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Production Company
Avenue Pictures,
Miramax,
Segue Productions,
The Oxford Film Company
Release Date Feb 2, 1996
Duration 1 h 57 m
Rating R
Tagline In a world of seduction and power, temptation has its price.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Berlin International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Nomination
