Restoration (Michael Hoffman, 1995)

I really was looking forward to a great film with Robert Downey Jr and Restoration, which also featured the fantastic Sam Neill, was interesting, however, it just wasn’t as engrossing as I expected (or wanted it to be). The start took a while to get into but it did get better, particularly during the last third of the film (from the introduction of Meg Ryan’s character, which was totally unexpected). I couldn’t believe Meg Ryan would star in a drama period film like this, as opposed to You’ve Got Mail or the warm and funny Kate and Leopold. Also, have to mention Hugh Grant who played a royal painter − that was a surprise as well, keeping in mind his usual choice of films. I guess it also didn’t help that it took a few sittings for me to see the whole film, instead of viewing it all at once.

Restoration centres on a young physician Robert Merivel (Downey Jr), who ends up being called by the king (Sam Neill). He does and is then given a place in the royal court. The king then asks him to marry his mistress so as to divert the queen’s attention and is given the specific order not to fall in love with her. Not surprisingly, he does and the king finds out, and Merivel is stripped of his position, ultimately falling back to his original status as a local physician. Merivel returns to the place he first worked (and reunites with his friend John Pearce, who is played by the great David Thewis of Harry Potter’s Professor Lupin fame). They work at what seems like a mental institution and Merivel falls in love with Meg Ryan’s character, gets her pregnant, they leave, then she has her baby. There a numerous little events that take place but overall, the film ends with Merivel falling back in favour with the king and being given the estate (where he lived with the king’s mistress) where he ends up living with his daughter. Ian McKellen is also listed in the cast as starring in this film, although I fail to remember his character. Anyway, there were plenty of great actors in this film and it wasn’t too bad of a story, with several minor incidents which keep the film going until what I think is a strong ending (in fact I found myself on the verge of tears). Ultimately, if there is one thing Restoration does very well, it is illustrating the incredible and versatile acting of Robert Downey Jr.

3.5/5