Restoration (1995)
Directed by Michael Hoffman with a screenplay by Rupert Walters, Restoration (1995) is a historical drama adapted from Rose Tremain’s namesake novel published in 1989. Robert Merivel, a young doctor, enters into the service of King Charles II of England after rescuing his beloved spaniel. Initially consumed by indulgent behavior and popularity at court, Merivel’s lifestyle takes an unexpected turn when he is forced to marry Celia, a royal mistress who has fallen out of favor. The purpose of this orchestrated marriage is to deceive Barbara Castlemaine, the King’s favorite mistress. While Merivel inherits Bidnold Estate in Suffolk, Celia resides in a house in Kew that provides the King with discreet visits. Despite living a life of debauchery there, Merivel also finds joy in restoring the estate’s former grandeur with help from Will Gates, its manager.
Complications arise when Merivel, contrary to the King’s rule, falls in love with Celia. To capture her beauty, the King hires artist Elias Finn. Merivel unwittingly confesses his love for Celia to Finn, but she does not reciprocate his feelings. This revelation leads to the King banishing Merivel from court and returning him to his former role as a physician. Reunited with old friend John Pearce, now running a Quaker sanitarium, Merivel comes across Katharine – a distraught woman whose husband left her after their child tragically drowned. As they grow closer, Katharine and Merivel become lovers. When Pearce falls ill with consumption, Merivel tends to him until his passing. During this time, they learn that Katharine is pregnant with Merivel’s child. After Pearce’s death, Merivel and Katharine depart together.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Robert Downey Jr.Merivel  Sam NeillThe King  Meg RyanKatharine  David ThewlisPearce  Polly WalkerCelia  Ian McKellenWill Gates  Hugh GrantFinn  Ian McDiarmidAmbrose |
Directed by Michael Hoffman with a screenplay by Rupert Walters, Restoration (1995) is a historical drama adapted from Rose Tremain’s namesake novel published in 1989. Robert Merivel, a young doctor, enters into the service of King Charles II of England after rescuing his beloved spaniel. Initially consumed by indulgent behavior and popularity at court, Merivel’s lifestyle takes an unexpected turn when he is forced to marry Celia, a royal mistress who has fallen out of favor. The purpose of this orchestrated marriage is to deceive Barbara Castlemaine, the King’s favorite mistress. While Merivel inherits Bidnold Estate in Suffolk, Celia resides in a house in Kew that provides the King with discreet visits. Despite living a life of debauchery there, Merivel also finds joy in restoring the estate’s former grandeur with help from Will Gates, its manager.
Complications arise when Merivel, contrary to the King’s rule, falls in love with Celia. To capture her beauty, the King hires artist Elias Finn. Merivel unwittingly confesses his love for Celia to Finn, but she does not reciprocate his feelings. This revelation leads to the King banishing Merivel from court and returning him to his former role as a physician. Reunited with old friend John Pearce, now running a Quaker sanitarium, Merivel comes across Katharine – a distraught woman whose husband left her after their child tragically drowned. As they grow closer, Katharine and Merivel become lovers. When Pearce falls ill with consumption, Merivel tends to him until his passing. During this time, they learn that Katharine is pregnant with Merivel’s child. After Pearce’s death, Merivel and Katharine depart together.
