Restoration *** (1995, Robert Downey Jr, Sam Neill, Polly Walker, Meg Ryan, David Thewlis, Ian McKellen, Hugh Grant) – Classic Movie Review 11,715

Robert Downey Jr stars as a 17th-century young doctor exploited by King Charles II. 

Director Michael Hoffman’s 1995 film Restoration is based on the 1989 novel by Rose Tremaine, and stars Robert Downey Jr, Sam Neill, Polly Walker, Meg Ryan, David Thewlis, Ian McKellen and Hugh Grant. It won the Academy Awards for art direction and costume design.

American star Downey Jr, who confounded all expectations to turn in an entirely credible true Brit performance in Chaplin, now gets his reward, cast as 17th century physician Dr Robert Merivel, summoned to the court of the newly restored King Charles II (Neill) to save the life of his sick dog.

Frivolity, pleasure and extravagance are the rules of the day now that old fuddy duddy Oliver Cromwell is out of the way, and doctor Downey quickly finds that he is giving up the noble pursuit of his Hippocratic oath in favour of a hypocritical oath he makes to the king. He is in love with the king’s favourite mistress Celia (Walker), but Downey agrees to marry but not make love to her in return for a fine country house, riches and a life of luxury.

The first half of British director Hoffman’s suitably opulent restoration comedy for America’s Miramax (Quentin Tarantino’s producers) is breathtakingly sumptuous, gorgeous and, thank goodness, great decadent fun. But, of course, all pleasure has to be paid for, as that old killjoy puritan Cromwell would say, and in the film’s second half we have poverty, plague, puritans and Meg Ryan in heavy Irish accent to contend with.

True Brits David Thewliss and Ian McKellen are wasted in thankless, stereotyped support roles as Downey’s flunkies, and mannered Hugh Grant is again typecast in a star cameo as a foppish artist, but Downey and Neill give the most rousing, charismatic performances that justify their casting.

Restoration is half a hit – the first half – but then in extra time there is a brilliantly staged Great Fire of London and a hopeful ending to send everyone home with hearts warmed.

Restoration won the Academy Awards for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration for Eugenio Zanetti and Best Costume Design for James Acheson.

The screenplay is by Rupert Walters.

Also notable in the cast are Ian McDiarmid, Mary MacLeod, Mark Letheren, Sandy McDade, Rosalind Bennett, Benjamin Whitrow, Jenny Runacre and Anna Savva.

It was filmed in Wales.

Sam Neill in Jurassic Park.

Restoration is directed by Michael Hoffman, runs 117 minutes, is made by Segue Productions, Avenue Pictures, Oxford Film Company and Miramax, is released by Miramax (1995) (US), is written by Rupert Walters, is shot by Oliver Stapleton, is produced by Cary Brokaw, Andy Paterson and Sarah Black, and scored by James Newton Howard, with Production Design by Eugenio Zanetti.

The cast are Robert Downey Jr. as Robert Merivel, Sam Neill as King Charles II, David Thewlis as John Pearce, Polly Walker as Celia Clemence, Meg Ryan as Katharine, Ian McKellen as Will Gates, Hugh Grant as Elias Finn, Ian McDiarmid as Ambrose, Mary MacLeod as Midwife, Mark Letheren as Daniel, Sandy McDade as Hannah, Rosalind Bennett as Eleanor, Willie Ross as Man with Visible Heart, David Gant as Chiffinch, Benjamin Whitrow as Merivel’s Father, Neville Watchurst as Latin Doctor, Bryan Pringle as Watchman, Roy Evans as Fleeing Man, John Quarmby as The Chancellor, John Dallimore as The Secretary, Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Mr Bung, and Bridie Rees-Davies and Hannah Rees-Davies as Twin Babies.

 © Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,715

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Robert Downey Jr on set with director Emile Ardolino for Chances Are (1989).