Restoration is a period drama adapted from a novel by Rose Tremain and is directed by Micheal Hoffman. This probably is one of the most overlooked gems in period movies. This movie is visually enchanting replete with lavish costumes and is therefore not surprising to know that this movie had won 2 Oscars – Art direction & Costume Design.Restoration focuses on the gloomy aspects of the era life poverty, illness, medicine and the way of living during those times. This is a movie where you need to listen and absorb. You would enjoy it better watching it alone or with like-minded people. The story revolves around Robert Merivel, (Robert Downey Jr) who is a doctor during the reign of King Charles II (Sam Neil). He longs for the good life at the King's court and achieves it after successfully treating & saving His Majesty's royal dog. On gaining the King's favour Merival gives in completely to the rich life and all that it brings with it. This until he make a deal with the King and is married off to His mistress on the condition that Merivel is not to fall in fall with her. However he does do the one thing that is forbidden of him and ends up losing the King's favour. We are taken on a journey to two worlds; one of luxury another modest. We see how Downey lives in both of them. He returns to work with his Quaker friend John Pearce, (David Thewlis) at a mental institution where he meets and impregnates an Irish cuckold (Meg Ryan). However, when she gives in childbirth, he takes it upon himself to help cure London of the plague. He gets caught in the Great Fire of 1666 where he is left to believe that all is lost. Fate, however, has other plans. Downey has pulled off the English accent very proficiently. He looks foppish in curls and his short trousers & pulled off the transformation in Merival's outlook with élan. It most certainly was a moving performance and strikes a chord within you. This was the time when Downey was in war with his own personal demons in substance abuse. He does not look healthy but, the role fits his worn-down appearance and brings to life Merivel. I can't imagine any other actor playing Merivel. The rest of the cast slid into their roles perfectly.

Robert Downey, Jr. stars as a physician at the beck and call of the royal court in 17th Century England, and serves as our guide through an overstuffed story that includes lunatics, fires and the plague. As a narrative, it probably could have been tighter (o.k. let's face it, it could DEFINITELY have been tighter), and I think another reviewer here at IMDb said it well when he claimed that the movie is better than the sum of its parts, but I do remember liking this quite a bit. The jaw-dropping production and costume design is alone worth sitting through the movie for.With Sam Neill as a king and Meg Ryan as one of the lunatics.Grade: A-

This is a diamond of a movie -- a diamond with an inclusion, but a diamond nonetheless. As the shallow court doctor, Robert Downey Jr's performance makes one cry for the habits that have kept him away from so many productions. This medical rogue, because of fluky fame, is summoned to King Charles II's court to save a beloved dog. When the dog recovers without any explanation, Downey's doctor is the star of the moment but his moment passes quickly.Sam Neil is one of filmdom's most convincing Charles II -- the merry monarch. He can be superficial and deep, a coward and hero all at the same turn. David Thewliss is also convincing as a Quaker doctor who helps lead Downey's character away from the excess of the royal court.Now, here's the inclusion part. Meg Ryan plays a psychiatric patient that Downey's character seems to cure in a manner not recommended by most Colleges of Physicians. Ryan is not right for the part.All else -- costumes, cinematography, music are wonderful. A sweeping film about fate and redemption during one of England's most dynamic reigns, Restoration is worth getting as a DVD because it really does improve with more than one viewing.

I thought this movie was a wonderful story. Meg Ryan plays a woman who lives in a mental institution and her acting is great, very convincing. Robert Downey Jr. is a doctor to a king, who marries Meg to save her, but begins to fall in love with her. The fact that their love story differs from most makes this movie even better. I laughed, I cried, I rejoiced along with the characters in the movie. But I will warn you of the nudity, Robert Downey Jr. and minor female characters are nude in certain parts of the movie. The costumes were fantastic and beautiful, as were the sets. I recommend this movie to all who are of age, because of the nudity younger people shouldn't see it unless they are quite mature.